Gang Violence In L.A.
The County and City of Los Angeles are the “gang capital” of the nation. There are more than 450 active gangs in the City of Los Angeles. Many of these gangs have been in existence for over 50 years. These gangs have a combined membership of over 45,000 individuals.
Gang membership in Los Angeles has continued to increase over the past five years even though there have been periodic crime decreases. One of the major factors contributing to increased gangs, gang membership and violence has been the lucrative narcotics trade, with rival gangs vying for the greatest market share.
Gangs are not a new phenomenon. During the last three years, there were over 16,398 verified violent gang crimes in the City of Los Angeles. These include 491 homicides, nearly 7,047 felony assaults, approximately 5,518 robberies and just under 98 rapes.
Gang membership in Los Angeles has continued to increase over the past five years even though there have been periodic crime decreases. One of the major factors contributing to increased gangs, gang membership and violence has been the lucrative narcotics trade, with rival gangs vying for the greatest market share.
Gangs are not a new phenomenon. During the last three years, there were over 16,398 verified violent gang crimes in the City of Los Angeles. These include 491 homicides, nearly 7,047 felony assaults, approximately 5,518 robberies and just under 98 rapes.
the gangs
Los Angeles has an estimated 120,000 gang members as of 2007. According to a May 2001 Drug Threat Assessment by the National Drug Intelligence Center, Los Angeles is home to 1,350 gangs.
Some of LA's Most Notorious Gangs
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Hispanic
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Italian
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The Problem and The Solution
Gang violence is a huge problem in LA that has been going on for years. Many have tried to find solutions to this ongoing problem, but none have seemed to work. Below is a video of Father Greg Boyle who was born and raised in east LA and his input on the topic, as well as a possible solution. Also below to the right is a PDF Titled: Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles that goes in depth on the problem, the facts and myths, and the solution.
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Boyz n the hood
John Singletons film, Boyz n the Hood follows the lives of a few young adults and the challenges the face growing up in south central LA. The film was made in 1991 and he shows that gang violence was a huge problem then and now 22 years later we see that the problem still exists. In the film Singleton shows that LA full of great people who never have a chance. He wants this problem to end so that decent people don't have to be trapped in these lives surrounded by gangs and violence everyday. He shows that LA is a good place that has potential to be an amazing place. To abolish this problem we need as Singleton states at the end of his film, to, "Increase the Peace".