Despite efforts by law enforcement authorities to halt the proliferation of gangs in many cities throughout the United States, some groups have continued to grow and recruit new members, specifically among young individuals who have become increasingly inclined to turn to violence to settle disputes and bolster their own reputation.
This growth in gang activity has contributed to the rising crime levels in many US cities, and if left unchecked, will contribute to further problems in communities around the country.
New Gangs Emerge
Local authorities in Nashville, Tennessee are growing increasingly concerned over the recent appearance of the Kurdish Pride Gang in the southern section of the city. The gang is believed to be the only Kurdish street gang in the country, and is thought to have between 20 and 30 members who are either in their teens or early 20s. While the gang is not large in size, their activities have steadily become more violent and high profile. Local police believe the gang has been involved in at least 10 home burglaries since January 2007 (two of which involved sexual assault), numerous shootouts with other gangs in the city, and physical attacks, including one with a police officer who attempted to intervene during a drug deal.
While specific details about the gang’s origin remain unclear, it is likely that the gang formed to compete against and provide protection from other Hispanic, Asian, and African American gangs operating in Nashville. Due to the violent nature of the group’s activities, local police believe the gang poses the same significant level of threat as older gangs in the area. Moreover, of particular challenge to authorities, members in the Kurdish Pride Gang are generally from educated, middle-class families, unlike many individuals in other prominent gangs.
Old Violence Returns
While new gangs are emerging in various US communities, there are several areas where earlier violence has returned to plague the community and law enforcement authorities as well. Specifically, in Pasadena, California, where officials were able to successfully reduce gang violence over the past 14 years, the number of homicides related to gang activity has steadily increased in the past year. The renewed violence has been attributed to battles between rival racial gangs operating in the area, clashes over drug turf, and the influx of young males, as well as older gang members who have returned from prison.
Potential Unification of MS-13
Recent reports have indicated that MS-13, the brutally violent gang composed primarily of El Salvadorans and other Central Americans, may be attempting to unify its members across the US in order to bolster its criminal operations. Law enforcement officials have reported that there have been several instances where the gang has attempted to increase coordination between its various “cliques” around the country. Specifically, officials have noticed efforts to centralize criminal activity between MS-13 cliques in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C.
Moreover, officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have stated that they have identified incidents where MS-13 members have been sent to North Carolina to assist in organizing and improving the criminal activity of newly formed cliques. The gang has also adopted tactics used by prominent drug trafficking groups in Mexico and Colombia, and has formed some alliances with other gangs in order to further their criminal operations.
It remains unclear if the gang is actually attempting to unify across the country (and on what level), however officials are certain that MS-13 is becoming stronger, thereby increasing the threat to public safety.
Moving Forward
Amid these reports of spreading gang violence throughout the US, city officials around the country are taking a different approach in their efforts to combat these gangs: by filing lawsuits against gang members. Officials are able to ask courts for injunctions that often ban gang members from gathering on street corners, in cars, or at other places in designated areas.
Several cities have already employed this tactic, including Los Angeles, which has 33 permanent injunctions for about 50 gangs in the area. San Francisco and Fort Worth are among those cities that have recently filed lawsuits against various gangs. While some believe that such strategies are working, others remain skeptical, indicating that a majority of gang members are likely to move outside the protected zones, and engage in their activity elsewhere.
Local authorities have made some gains against various groups, to include the recent arrest of 120 members of numerous street gangs, such as the Mexican Mafia, MS-13, and the Latin Kings, during an operation in north Texas earlier in July 2007.
However, despite these successes, the gangs will likely continue to operate and find new avenues and means to carry out their activities.
As gangs continue attempts to expand and consolidate their operations and scope, it is important for law enforcement officials to devote necessary resources and enhanced coordination efforts to counteract the potential growth of criminal gangs in order to prevent further violence.
