Communities in rural areas need to be aware of indicators of gang activity and seriously assess their own gang problems. The Research Division is funding a national evaluator to conduct case studies and assist with evaluation planning. More programs must be established to reduce crime and target gangs and gang members. Efforts to reduce the overall level of crime in society will not work unless those efforts include effective gang prevention, intervention, and suppression programs. Communities need to take a localized, yet comprehensive approach in assessing their gang problem and developing strategies and solutions.
Every community has factors that make the youth gang problem unique to that jurisdiction.
Learning about these factors requires involvement by all elements of the community. These five strategies, and the current evaluation being conducted in five cities, are detailed on page 25. Communities need to look at their local situation to understand the nature of the gang problem. Gang Membership, Delinquent Peers, and Delinquent Behavior . Howell, J.C. 1998.