Impact of Gangs on Communities   [open pdf - 292KB]

"This bulletin considers the impact of gang-related criminal activity on communities. To assess this, however, it is important to take into account the scope and nature of gang activity in different size communities, because gang impact on communities varies in accordance with their differing characteristics. This is the point of departure in this bulletin. Next, the impact of youth gangs on communities in several contexts is examined: the impact of gang members' criminal activity, general community impact, violent gang criminal activity, gang members returning from prison, gang migration and immigration, gangs in schools, and the economic impact of gangs."