Texas Teens Cover - Senate

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CHAPTER 8 JANUARY 2001
Most gang problems are home-grown so solutions need to take a local yet
comprehensive approach. Effective gang prevention and intervention programs
should include the following elements: community mobilization; outreach to
high-risk youth and their families; employment, training, educational
opportunities, and cultural enrichment; holding gang members accountable for
their actions; and an organizational structure which enhances the ability of
programs to provide the four former elements. 28
Policy Implication: Given the indications that gangs appear to be present in many
jurisdictions, communities of all sizes should have in place effective programs specifically
designed to prevent youths from joining gangs and to suppress gang activity, investing
community resources proportionately to the extent of the gang problem in the area.
Youth Gang Member Demographics
It is clear that youth gangs are now present in all sorts and sizes of communities
– small, large, rural, suburban, and urban. Demographically, what do gangs and
gang members look like?
Age. The youth gang survey includes youths up to 25 years of age, but 50 percent
of youth gang members are under 18. 29
Figure 8.5 Gang Member Demographics by Age
Over 24 years
13% Under 15 years
16%
18-24 years
37%
15-17 years
34 %
Source: OJJDP 1999d, 16.
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SENATE RESEARCH CENTER Safe Passages: Texas Teens on the Road to Adulthood- 140