The Rise of Gangs in the United States - Research Paper Example

The gangs are responsible for illegal drug distribution and their participation in such activities has risen to heights which have enabled them to compete with major U.S.-based Mexican illegal drug organizations. In the last 10 years, the population of gangs has risen to extraordinary and seemingly uncontrolled heights with about 900,000 gang members living within local communities in the country and about 147,000 seen in the US prisons or jails. Federal reports from across the United States also reveal that state and local enforcement agencies have criminal gangs active in their areas from 45% in 2004 to 58% in 2009.

These gangs have also updated and upgraded their criminal activities to include the Internet, electronic mail and such other methods in order to communicate with their associates throughout the United States. Although most of these gangs are seen in urban areas, a number of them have now penetrated the rural and suburban areas where they often flee in order to avoid local enforcement authorities in urban areas. A 2001 survey by the Department of Justice revealed that about 20% of students aged 12 to 18 years report that they have witnessed street gang activities in their schools during the last 6 months.

These statistics present a general picture of how pervasive gangs have become in the United States and how they have now indeed risen to uncontrolled levels.In a thorough report by Carlie, he pointed out that prosecutors take issue with gang legislation. He points out that not one case using such legislation has made it through court because the law requires that gangs should have common names or identifiers like tattoos or colors.