Gangs in L.A.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) gang statistics for the month of February 1998, there are 407 criminal street gangs in the City with a total membership of 65,271. In the month of March 1998, statistics reflected an increase of gang membership of 242 bringing the total to 65,513.

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.