Nature and Scope of Hispanic/Latino Gangs in North Carolina

• NCJ Number: 212292
• Author(s): Alison Rhyne; Douglas L. Yearwood
• Date Published: September 2005
• Length: 36 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2004-BJ-CX-K010
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)
• Corporate Author: North Carolina Governor's Crime Cmssn
• Sale Source: North Carolina Governor's Crime Cmssn
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report assesses the nature and extent of Hispanic/Latino gangs within North Carolina's communities with recommendations to address the emerging issue of Hispanic/Latino gangs across the State.

Abstract

Since 1999, several analyses have been conducted on the nature and extent of youth gangs in North Carolina showing an increase in the number of reported gangs. An interest was expressed by the Governor's Advisory Council for a more in-depth examination of Hispanic/Latino gangs. Such an examination was seen by the Council as providing a better understanding of these groups and their activities. This report attempts to assess the nature and extent of Hispanic/Latino gangs within North Carolina's communities with an emphasis on identifying recent criminal activities, geographic dispersion, the magnitude of relationships with other national Hispanic/Latino criminal groups, and how local gangs differ from gangs that demonstrate national affiliation. A two-part survey was designed to first assess the basic and general attributes of Hispanic/Latino gangs across the State and second assess the level of criminal activity, the size and composition of gang membership and the magnitude of the gangs' involvement in drugs and violence. A total of 164 surveys were returned with 29.4 percent reporting the presence of Hispanic/Latino gangs and gang activity within the respective jurisdictions. Study results indicated a dramatic and rapid rise in the number of Hispanic and Latino individuals across the State coupled with an increasing gang presence necessitates a variety of proactive measures in order to prevent an exacerbation of gang-related criminal activity and violence. Results indicate that almost half of the respondents noted that Hispanic/Latino gangs posed a significant problem for their communities, that nearly three-fourths felt that the Hispanic population was disconnected from the community and its activities, and that 90 percent of whom did not have programs aimed directly at Hispanic/Latino gangs and gang members. Policy implications and recommendations are presented. Tables, figures and references