In the early 1990's, Austin communities began to experience a serious increase in gang related crimes. The GSU, a component of the Organized Crime Division, is charged with investigating crimes involving gang members. The class and type of crimes investigated by the unit vary from responding to citizen concerns about gang activity to shutting down major narcotics rings and investigating aggravated assaults and homicides. Gang activity is more complex than it has ever been, encompassing a wide range of groups. 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.