The community and your police department now contend with juvenile street gangs, criminal prison gangs, and hate groups which statutorily meet the gang criteria. Gang activity varies in the Austin area. Most prevalent are the activities of street gangs. Their activities range from property damage to the most violent of crimes. Criminal street gangs often consist of juveniles and young adults.
Ages are more varied in prison gangs and hate groups.
In looser terminology, a gang can be described as a group of individuals who may claim control over certain territories and engage in illegal behaviors. As history has shown, participants are often volatile, committing acts of violence toward rival gang members or the general public for even minor infractions of their code. Police officers and the public must understand that gang activity is not limited to any specific race, economic status, or political ideology. There are gangs exclusive to Black members, Hispanics, Asians and Whites. There are also a number of gangs which cross racial boundaries.