Gang problems differ dramatically across and within communities, as well as over time. Developing an effective response to the gang problem largely depends upon developing an understanding of the gang problem in the community being affected. Without a comprehensive understanding, communities and policymakers are unable to respond effectively or efficiently to address the gang problem.
As a result, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s National Gang Center advocates a comprehensive community level assessment, comprised of data collected from a variety of perspectives as an initial step in formulating a tailored response to the gang problem. This document presents a comprehensive assessment of the gang problem in Fall River, Massachusetts, closely aligning with the template provided by the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model: A Guide to Assessing Your Community’s Youth Gang Problem.
Click here to read the report.