Juvenile Crime & Attitudes Toward Minorities It is generally believed that poli

A 1995 survey by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) reported a total of 23,388 gangs and 664,906 gang members in the United States. Forty nine percent of the law enforcement agencies reporting gang activity reported that the gang problem was "getting worse," while only ten percent reported that the problem was improving. Around the country, there is an increased awareness of the worsening of the juvenile crime problem, especially in the area of juvenile gangs (Lahey, et al, 1999, 261).

According to a National Youth Gang Center (NYGC) 1995 Survey, all 50 states reported the existence of youth gangs, with most large cities reporting a gang presence. On the national level there has been a push to effectively handle the problem with the introduction of legislation such as the "Anti-Gang and Youth Violence Control Act of 1996." More recently, the President and the Congress have struggled with the passage of a Juvenile Justice bill, which effects both deterrence and punishment for the juvenile offender (Riley, 1997, 133).

Prevailing attitudes about the problem of juvenile crim

. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
Girl Scouts, Juvenile Justice, Scouts Gangs, United Forty, , School Determining, San Diego, Center NYGC, Prevention OJJDP, et al, Montagues Capulets, lahey et, lahey et al, juvenile justice, justice system, gang membership, juvenile gang, juvenile justice system, juvenile system, san diego, gang activity, 1995 survey,
Approximate Word count = 1028
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page)