Most Gang Infested Cities in America: Gang violence in the United States is at an all time high. Every time an incident occurs that sparks the debate about gun laws, statistics come out surrounding gang related death totals that consistently blow my mind. Moreover, gang rates have climbed to an all time high and there are currently an estimated 1.7 million gang members spread throughout the country.
So, what are the factors that cause gang violence outbreaks in certain places? Like many things, it comes down to the money, first and foremost. Thus, there needs to be a city nearby that provides a means of making this money. Next, big changes in the economy, or simply a bad economy over time in a heavily populated city can usher in gang activity, as groups may sense an opportunity to seize new turf.
Yet, these are still the obvious answers, whereas gang violence and its presence is a very complicated and institutionally based outcome of an outdated system. In many of these cities, the areas with the highest crime rates have been essentially segregated from the rest of the area through school districts, bus routes, and even hospital availability. Police officers then target these areas that have already been sectioned off, and police them with force unseen in the rest of the community, causing further divide and in some cases causing community members to want to join a gang as a means of rising up against oppression.
This is obviously not the case for all of the places on this list, as in most major cities this type of institutional failure would (hopefully, maybe) be reported to the point where change would have to occur as a result of social pressure. Yet, as people’s rights continue to be infringed upon and as weapons are as available for purchase as they’ve ever been, gang membership has continued to rise of late.
Finally, not all violence in a city is gang related, and to see how other cities stack up, take a look at our list ranking the 12 most dangerous cities in America. Now, let’s take a look across the country at the most gang infested cities in America.
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
This city has always had a problem with gangs, as its location has long made it a transit stop for criminal activity. However, since Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans’ gang activity has risen tenfold. This is in large part due to the lack of funding that the police department has gotten in recent years, as well as the ravaged economy that Katrina left the city in. There are large parts of New Orleans that police don’t even regularly patrol because it’s too dangerous even for them, making this city one of the most gang infested cities in America.
4. Detroit, Michigan
As with the other Midwestern cities on this list, Detroit has experienced a crushing economic depression in recent years. The result has been an increase in poverty, less money to spend on the police department, and vast unemployment. Also, the gangs in Detroit are unique in that they don’t have any specific affiliations. Gang members in Detroit don’t tattoo their logos or wear certain colors, thus crime is even harder for police to identify. Being close to the Canadian border also makes Detroit a major trafficking hub, and thus furthers the gang activity in the city.
3. East St. Louis, Illinois
Located just across the Missouri state line, in Illinois, East St. Louis has become one of the most gang infested cities in America in recent years. Its murder rate is 17 times the national average and there seems to be no stopping the progression of gangs in this region. East St. Louis is a perfect area for gangs to build: it’s located right near a major city in St. Louis, yet its police force represents that of a small town, so it’s very easy to avoid detection. The Governor of Illinois was even quoted as calling East St. Louis a ‘War Zone,’ and that may not be too far off.
2. Camden, New Jersey
Ever since the Blood affiliated Sex, Money, Murder sect took over New Jersey in the late 1980’s, Camden has been at the center of gang activity. Moreover, as would be expected, when the police force is lessened, criminal activity rises. In Camden, the police force has shrunk by over 50% over the last five years while gang membership has simultaneously risen. Besides the aforementioned Sex, Money, Murder faction, the Latin Kings and MS 13 are also active gangs in the region. The combination of numerous gangs with a depressed economy and proximity close to New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C., make Camden one of the most gang infested cities in America.
1. Chicago, Illinois
First, lets address the current state of gang activity in Chicago. The city is on pace to have over 500 murders in 2014, and 80% of all murders in Chicago are gang related. The police force is incredibly thin and the large majority of this activity takes place on the city’s west-side.
In my opinion this a result of long-term neglect on different levels. By cutting off the heads of the major gangs in the city, Larry Hoover who founded the GD’s (Gangster Disciples), and ‘Lord Gino,’ a leader of the Latin Kings in 1995 and 1997 respectively, Chicago thought it had rid itself of its gang problem. However, this actually just made things harder to contain. The two gangs split into various sects that now fight among themselves. So not only has the violence increased, but the ability to identify people as gang members has also gotten harder.
Moreover, the west-side of the city is treated like a separate entity altogether. If someone gets shot there, the closest hospital that might treat them is 45 minutes away. There are housing projects that are outdated and built in the early 90’s that still stand. To make matters even worse, it’s very easy to acquire guns in this region. Wisconsin is an hour and a half from Chicago, and buying a gun in Wisconsin is not unlike buying a gun in Texas, and they’re both pretty similar to buying a bottle of vodka.
There have been over 2,215 total people shot in Chicago this year, which is absolutely insane, as the number will most likely creep above 3,000, setting a new record. Something needs to be done about Chicago soon, or it will only remain the most gang infested city in the America.
