Street gangs and prison gangs, today, are forming at an alarming rate. They have been identified throughout the United States in cities and communities, large and small, urban and rural. Today, street gang membership encompasses all races from most socioeconomic levels and is not limited to larger cities.

The presence of street gangs may be seen everywhere. Gang members do not represent an invisible empire. They thrive on recognition and are constantly seeking ways to make their presence known or felt. They only go unseen when law enforcement personnel, as well as educators and parents, fail to recognize the signs of gang activity and an individuals involvement.

Too often, a community or a department will proclaim that there are no gangs within the community, stating that there are only a few youths who are "Wannabes." This term should never be used. By overlooking the fact that these youths have adopted a gang name, use gang signs and symbols and commit crimes, these youths are "Gonnabes." Failing to recognize or denying the existence of gang activity, whether willingly or through a lack of gang identification training, drastically increases the gang's ability to thrive and develop a power base.

Gangs are not just found on the streets.  There are now thousands of prison gang members incarcerated in virtually every corrections system in the United States. There are thousands more that have been released and who are, because of a life time commitment, taking care of prison gang business on the streets. It is extremely important that all law enforcement and corrections officers familiarize themselves with gangs and gang member's identifiers. You may accomplish this as an individual or through departmental group training.

Law Enforcement Tools

State by State Gang Investigation Units

• State Gang Units