More Kids and Adults in Gangs, Study Shows

A report released Friday on the condition of children in Orange County found that while gang-related homicides are declining, overall gang membership is on the rise.

The study, compiled over the last year by the Orange County Children’s Services Coordinating Committee, revealed some surprising and contradictory data concerning the county’s much-publicized war on gangs as well as the health risks facing children.

Membership in Orange County gangs and “tagger” crews jumped 43% from August 1993 to December 1996--from 16,866 people to 24,035. During this period, membership among children 8 to 14 years old rose by nearly 40% while membership by adults older than 22 rose by 64%, according to the study.

The increases came despite aggressive gang enforcement efforts by local police departments, which law enforcement officials have attributed to a gradual decline in the number of gang killings.

Gang-related homicides jumped from 43 in 1992 to a record 74 in 1993, prompting the creation of new gang crackdown programs by police and prosecutors. In 1996, local agencies reported 42 such killings.

County officials who prepared the study said the results show that while tougher law enforcement measures appear to be working, more programs are needed to discourage young people from joining gangs.

“This indicates that the vigorous efforts to reduce gang violence are bearing fruit,” said Bill Brooks, a member of the committee and director of community programs for the Probation Department.

“But we have to be very concerned about the fact the gang membership is up,” Brooks added. “It suggests that we have to put energy and resources into helping those who are vulnerable for getting into gangs and giving them other options.”

In a related finding, the report said that the total number of juveniles ages 10 to 18 in the corrections system increased from 1993 to 1996--from 2,740 to 3,163.

“As the county has become more urbanized, the numbers have gone up,” Brooks said. “We’ve seen a double whammy at Juvenile Hall. Ten years ago, 20% to 30% of [inmates] had gang affiliations. Now, almost all of them do.”

The report was sponsored by the county as well as the United Way of Orange County, the PacifiCare Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the Center for Collaboration of Children at Cal State Fullerton.

“It’s a mixed message. Life is pretty tough for a lot of Orange County children, but there are positive trends as well,” said Supervisor William G. Steiner, whose staff helped prepare the survey. “I hope this serves as a reality check. It keeps the issue of child welfare in front of the public.”

The report found that more children and teenagers are being served by the county’s mental health department. But officials said they didn’t know whether the increase was caused by the greater need or simply that more people became aware of the services.

The number of mothers receiving prenatal care increased from 37,000 to 39,000 from 1991 to 1996. Officials said the finding is good news because prenatal care reduces the risk of problems during birth.

Random surveys of kindergartners found that increasing numbers of them are properly immunized, the report said. About 53% of children surveyed in 1993 had their shots, compared with 63% in 1996.

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More In the Gang

Membership in Orange County gangs grew 43% between August 1993 and December 1996. While all age groups gained members, the largest segment continues to be those in their 20s and older:

Total Known Gang Members

1996: 24,035

*

1993-96 Increase

8-14 years: 40%

15-17 years: 41%

18-21 years: 15%

22 years and older: 64%

*

1996 Membership by Age

8-14 years: 1%

15-17 years: 11%

18-21 years: 31%

22 years and older: 57%

*

Gender

Male: 89%

Female: 11%

*

Ethnicity

Latino: 70%

Asian: 18%

White: 7%

Black: 4%

Pacific Islander: 1%

Sources: Orange County Probation Department, Orange County District Attorney