NCJ Number
236104
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: Summer 2011 Pages: 46-52
Date Published
2011
Length
7 pages
Annotation
There were roughly one million gang members in the United States at the end of 2008 (NGIC, 2009). The 2009 U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command (CID) Gang Activity Threat Assessment documented a twofold increase in felonies since the 2006 report. The percentage of gang crimes involving military persons was only .41 percent of the total number of felony investigations (CID, 2009).
Abstract
Over 10 percent of gang members in civilian communities have military training (Smith, 2010). The most common gang-related crimes involved drug trafficking, with 33 percent of the reported felonies that year (CID). Gang-related aggravated assaults, housebreaking and larceny cases, attempted homicides, and sexual assault investigations were also reported (CID). Military-trained gang members (MTGMs) engage in military-type gang activity, and display indications that the gang members had military training either directly or indirectly. Indicators of military training include the use of military tactics, weapons, or equipment to conduct gang activity, and the use of distinctive military skills, particularly if gang members trained in weapons, tactics, and planning pass the instruction on to other gang members (NGIC, 2009). Military tactics include the techniques and strategies taught in a variety of military occupational specialties, ranging from tactical assault to organizational leadership strategies. (Published Abstract)