(Editor’s note: This is Part I of a continuing series.)
Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds warns that Georgia, like the entire nation, is in a crisis as a result of criminal street gang activity. He repeats what the Georgia General Assembly said in 2010 with its enactment of Georgia Code 16-15-1. It boldly states: “Georgia is in a state of crisis … caused by violent criminal street gangs whose members threaten, terrorize and commit a multitude of crimes against the peaceful citizens… These activities, both individually and collectively, present a clear and present danger to public order and safety.”
Exact numbers and statistics on street gang membership are hard to come by in most Georgia cities and counties. However, the statistics in state and national reports are staggering. And they are on the rise.
The FBI’s 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment Survey states there are approximately 1.4 million gang members nationwide — an increase of 400,000 from two years earlier. The report found nearly 33,000 gangs are responsible for an average of 48 percent of the violent crimes in most jurisdictions, and up to 90 percent in several others.
In 2013, former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich issued his own warning about the increase of gangs in this country, stating that street gangs have increased by 40 percent since the election of President Barack Obama. “There is no federal program to stop it,” Gingrich said. “No one wants to have an honest conversation about it.”
Gangs growing in Georgia
As gangs have continued to grow, statistics in the 2003 Georgia Drug Threat Assessment reflect an increased expansion into smaller cities, and suburban and rural communities. In fact, 27 percent of gangs are active in smaller cities and 25 percent in suburban counties — as compared with 41 percent in larger cities. According to the numbers, 5.5 percent are in active in rural counties.
Recruitment of new gang members has also increased, and law enforcement agents report that children as young as 9 and 10 years old are being recruited.
Officials with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation predict there are about 20,000 gang members in metro Atlanta. As early as 2003, federal reports recognized growing concern in Georgia over the increased presence of older and more experienced gang members from Chicago and Los
Angeles. In the 2003 Georgia Drug Threat Assessment, it was reported that Georgia has one of the largest populations of the LA-born street gang MS 13 — with more than six cliques.
Cobb County Police report 122 street gangs currently active in their county. In Douglas County, officials with the Sheriff’s Office believe that over 45 gangs have some type involvement in the county– including MS 13, the Bloods and Crips. Reports received through an InsiderAdvantage Open Records Request from the Atlanta Police Department showed there were 129 street gangs active in Georgia, and 2,632 identified street gang members in the department’s investigative files.
However, actual numbers are hard to come by from most metro Atlanta law enforcement agencies. Gwinnett, DeKalb, Clayton and Fulton County did not supply any numbers when answering an InsiderAdvantage open records request about the number of arrests involving gang members, or when asked the total number of arrest warrants issued pursuant to application under the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. (The request was for September 1, 2014 through and including September 1, 2015.) All responded that they were not “the custodial keeper of these records.” Records from Cobb County Police did show one warrant was issued for an arrest using Code Section 16-15-1, a juvenile misdemeanor case. Cobb County Police also reported that 148 individuals were arrested during the same year timeframe who are “noted a being involved in gangs” although this does not indicate a charge made under OCGA 16-15-1.
The General Assembly created the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act to aid prosecutors and law enforcement in their fight against gangs. Some officials believe it gives teeth to prosecutors if used in arrests, much like RICO (enacted in 1970) aided in the fight against the Mafia. Some also say a Gang Prosecution Unit is needed in Georgia, much like those that have been created in Maryland, Texas, Virginia and South Carolina — and have asked if Attorney General Sam Olens has plans to create such a unit.
However, when asked about this, a spokesman for Olens’ office stated, “A Gang Prosecution Unit does not fall within the trial jurisdiction of the attorney general’s office. We would suggest the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council consider the creation of a task force.”
Three options to fight gangs
Cobb DA Reynolds says there are three options that would provide assistance to local prosecutors in their battle against street gangs.
“The governor and General Assembly have done a good job creating legislation so far,” Reynolds says. But for the future “one option is for legislators to see if additional slots are needed for gang prosecution in certain areas of the state. A second option could involve the Prosecuting Attorneys Council — to see if they have staff that could assist local prosecutors across the state; or thirdly, for the attorney general to have additional authority and manpower to assist local prosecutors as assistance is requested across the state.”
Cindy Morley is a staff writer for InsiderAdvantage and James magazine.
