Criminal gangs in the USA have swelled to an estimated 1 million members responsible for up to 80% of crimes in communities across the nation, according to a gang threat assessment compiled by federal officials.
The report by the Justice Department's National Gang Intelligence Center concludes gangs are the "primary retail-level distributors of most illicit drugs" and several are "capable" of competing with major U.S.-based Mexican drug-trafficking organization.
Houston May Scrap Military-Style Boot Camp For Delinquents
Harris County, Tx., may scrap rigorous physical training and rigid military-style drills at its boot camp in favor of a program that uses therapy to attack the emotional and behavioral problems that led the young people into crime.
The county opened a juvenile boot camp in 1994 to offer chronic young offenders one last chance to shape up before they would be shipped off to do hard time at a state facility.