Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
Statistical Analysis Center Publication
Our mission is to sustain and enhance the coordination, cohesiveness, productivity and effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System in Arizona

2006 Gangs
in Arizona

September

2007

ARIZONA CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION

Vice-Chairperson
RALPH OGDEN
Yuma County Sheriff

Chairperson
DOUGLAS L. BARTOSH, Chief
Cottonwood Police Department

KELLY ANDERSON, Mayor
City of Maricopa

JOSEPH ARPAIO
Maricopa County Sheriff

DUANE BELCHER, Chairperson
Board of Executive Clemency

DAVID K. BYERS, Director
Administrative Office of the Courts

CLARENCE DUPNIK
Pima County Sheriff

TONY ESTRADA
Santa Cruz County Sheriff

TERRY GODDARD
Attorney General

DANIEL HUGHES, Chief
Surprise Police Department

BARBARA LAWALL
Pima County Attorney

RICHARD MIRANDA, Chief
Tucson Police Department

DAVID SANDERS
Pima County Chief Probation
Officer

DORA SCHRIRO, Director
Department of Corrections

LINDA SCOTT
Former Judge

GEORGE E. SILVA
Santa Cruz County Attorney

CARL TAYLOR
Coconino County Supervisor

ANDREW P. THOMAS
Maricopa County Attorney

ROGER VANDERPOOL, Director
Department of Public Safety

JOHN A. BLACKBURN, JR.
Executive Director

PHILLIP STEVENSON
Statistical Analysis Center
Director

2006 Gangs In Arizona

JOY LITZENBERGER
Research Analyst

i

Table of Contents
Executive Summary

i

Introduction

1

Research Methods

1

Arizona Legislation

2

Definition of a Gang
Gang Sentencing
Enforcement
State Gang Task Force
GIITEM Participation
Task Force Participation Other Than GIITEM
Factors Preventing Participation in Any Task Force
GangNET
Law Enforcement Gang Survey Results
The Gang Problem
Active Gang Member Profile
Gang Types and Local Gang Problems
Criminal Activity
Drugs and Gangs
Firearm and Gang Members

3
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
9
9
9
11
13
14
15

Prosecution Survey

16

Arizona Youth Survey Gang Results

17

Gang Membership
Gang Membership and Problem Behavior
Age of Initiation into Gangs

17
18
19

Conclusion

21

References

22

2006 Gangs In Arizona

ii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In the summer of 2006 the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission surveyed law
enforcement and prosecutors on issues regarding gangs and gang activity in Arizona.
This study, done to fulfill the requirements set out in Arizona Revised Statute (ARS)
§41-2416, is intended to provide relevant and timely information about gangs, gang
members and gang activity to criminal justice policymakers and practitioners.
Representatives of law enforcement and prosecutor agencies in Arizona were asked to
complete a survey that contained questions aimed at assessing a jurisdiction’s gang
problem and the severity of that problem during calendar year 2005. Specific
information regarding the types of criminal activity associated with gangs was reported
by responding agencies, which allowed for a general description of gang activity in
Arizona in areas such as drug use, sales, and trafficking, firearms use, and assaults.
Responding agencies also provided estimates of the number of gang members in their
jurisdiction, as well as demographic information on gang members.
Also included in this report is data from the Arizona Youth Survey, which was conducted
in the spring of 2006 and provides information on gang membership among 8th, 10th,
and 12th grade youth. Students self-reported gang membership, friendships with gang
members, and age of initiation in gangs. These data also allowed for the comparison of
self-reported gang members to non-gang members to better understand the
relationship between gang involvement and delinquency and drug use.

FINDINGS
Many law enforcement agencies in Arizona (42.7 percent) reported that gangs were
active in their jurisdiction. Of those agencies, approximately 70 percent reported that
the gang problem was very serious or somewhat serious, and 43 percent reported that
the gang problem got worse between 2004 and 2005. Very few agencies reported that
their gang problem lessened from 2004 to 2005. Increased levels of gang membership
between 2004 and 2006 are also shown in student responses to the Arizona Youth
Survey.
Drug offenses and assaults were the two most frequently reported criminal activities
involving gang members, followed by graffiti, theft, burglary and criminal damage. Onethird of agencies with a gang problem reported that gangs in their jurisdictions were
involved in human smuggling. Methamphetamine was the most frequently reported
drug to be used, sold or trafficked by gang members, followed by marijuana and
cocaine/crack.
Neighborhood-based street gangs were reported by more than 70 percent of law
enforcement agencies with gang problems to have a significant affect on their gang
2006 Gangs In Arizona

i

problem. Additionally, more than half of the respondents reported that gang members
returning from prison and migrating from California affected their gang problem
The percentage of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders who self-reported current gang
membership increased from 3.0 in 2004 to 3.6 in 2006. Extrapolating the percentage of
self-reported gang members in the sample to the entire population of 8th, 10th, and 12th
graders in Arizona yields an estimate of approximately 8,300 youth gang members in
those grades. It is worth noting that this estimate does not include youth in other
grades and youth who are not attending school. Importantly, approximately 90 percent
of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in our sample reported no gang involvement and no
interest in future gang involvement.
Students reporting gang membership also reported a higher level of drug use and
violence than non-involved youth. More than 50 percent of youth gang members had
attacked someone with the intent to harm them in the past year. Almost 40 percent had
sold drugs in the same time period. Nearly two-thirds had used marijuana in their
lifetime, more than 25 percent had used cocaine, and 18 percent had used
methamphetamine—percentages that are considerably higher than students who did
not belong to a gang.
Participation among agencies in the statewide gang task force Gang and Immigration
Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (GIITEM) provides agencies with intelligence
and support not otherwise available, as does the use of the statewide gang database
GangNET. Thirty-three agencies reported participation in GIITEM in the summer of
2006. Twenty-three agencies reported that they used GangNET. For those agencies not
participating in GIITEM or GangNET, lack of personnel was the most frequently cited
barrier to participation.

2006 Gangs In Arizona

ii

INTRODUCTION
During the summer of 2006, the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) surveyed
law enforcement officers and county prosecutors regarding their experiences and
perceptions of gangs, gang members, and gang activity in Arizona. Earlier in 2006,
ACJC conducted a survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students in Arizona, which included
questions on gangs and gang membership. This report pulls together data from these
two research efforts to provide policy makers, criminal justice personnel, and the public
with information on gangs and gang activity in Arizona. This study also fulfills the
requirements set out in Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) §41-2416, which requires that
ACJC conduct an annual survey that measures the prevalence of gang activity in
Arizona, when monies are specifically appropriated for that purpose. Although no funds
were appropriated to ACJC for a gang survey, the issue of gangs, gang members, and
gang activity in Arizona is of sufficient concern for ACJC to dedicate a portion of existing
funds to collect useful data and information on gangs and their activities and share that
information with Arizona’s criminal justice community.

RESEARCH METHODS
Since 1990, ACJC has periodically administered a gang survey to state, county and
municipal law enforcement agencies in Arizona. These surveys have been an
instrumental part of previous gang reports and revised versions are used to present the
current perspectives of law enforcement and prosecution on gangs in Arizona.
In August 2006, surveys were distributed to 128 criminal justice agencies throughout
Arizona. The surveys were designed to capture information on gangs, gang members,
and gang activity from law enforcement officers and county prosecutors. In order to
institutionalize the annual reporting of gang and gang activity in Arizona in a meaningful
way, at the same time recognizing the methodological weaknesses of asking
respondents to reflect on activities several months prior to completing a survey,
respondents were asked to provide information on gangs, gang members, and gang
activity during calendar year 2005. Surveys were faxed to 15 county sheriffs, 80
municipal law enforcement agencies, 15 county prosecutors and 18 tribal police
agencies. Of the 128 surveys distributed, 97 (75.8 percent) of the surveys were
returned. A total of 86.7 percent of prosecutors’ offices responded and 74.3 percent of
law enforcement agencies responded.
Earlier in the spring of 2006, ACJC administered a school-based survey to more than
60,000 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students from 362 schools statewide. The 2006 Arizona
Youth Survey included questions that measure risk and protective factors, drug use,
and anti-social behavior including gang involvement. Results from this survey are
included in this report to provide policymakers, criminal justice personnel, and the
2006 Gangs In Arizona

1

public with a unique perspective on youth gang members and gang activity—that of the
youth who self-report gang membership.
Before reporting on the results of the data collected on gangs, gang members, and
their activities, current Arizona legislation on gangs and gang members is reviewed.

ARIZONA LEGISLATION
In 1994 the Arizona State Legislature implemented several gang-related definitions and
sentencing provisions designed to enhance gang reduction and prevention strategies.
ARS §13-105.8 includes seven gang member identification criteria developed by the
Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). These criteria are used by the majority of
police departments in Arizona to determine gang membership. The Gang Member
Identification Criteria (GMIC) is a statewide standard designed to assist criminal justice
agencies with objectively identifying gang membership. To be identified as a gang
member in Arizona, an individual must meet at least two of the GMIC which are:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)

Self proclamation of gang membership;
Witness testimony or official statement;
Written or electronic correspondence referencing gang membership;
Gang paraphernalia or photographs;
Gang tattoos;
Display of gang clothing or colors; and
Any other indicia of street gang membership.

Each of these criteria is described in full in Table 1.

2006 Gangs In Arizona

2

Table 1: Gang Member Identification Criteria
Self-Proclamation The self-admission of gang membership or association with a
street gang. Self-proclamation can be documented in all records
of contact using suspect, victim and/or witness accounts by
criminal justice agencies.
Witness
May include court testimony, depositions, or interviews with
Testimony or
suspects, victims, witnesses or confidential informants.
Official Statement
Written or
Includes information making reference to any gang activity,
Electronic
incidents, names or nicknames. These references may be found
Correspondence
in letters, notes, tapes or documents, and can be noted in
records of contact, intelligence information and incidents of
criminal investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Paraphernalia or
Include photographs or drawings depicting gang membership,
Photographs
association, or involvement. Also included are rings, calling
cards, weapons, or other symbols referring to the gang, whether
in or out of the control or possession of the gang member.
These objects aid in the identification of individuals and groups
by showing locations, documents or propaganda relating to the
gang.
Tattoos
Used in identifying a specific gang moniker or symbol, regardless
of gang type. The tattoos may be covered up, burned out or old
tattoos.
Clothing and
Includes the type, color or manner in which clothing is worn.
Colors
Other signs include rags, patches, belt buckles, bandannas, hats,
vests, specific colors, accessories and/or jewelry. The type of
gang may be a street, prison, motorcycle or other gang.
Any Other Indicia This indicator of street gang membership provides for the
of Street Gang
recognition of new or innovative ways the ever-changing gang
Membership
culture may devise for self-recognition or recognition by others.

DEFINITION OF A GANG
In general terms, a gang is a loosely organized group of at least three people that
perceive themselves as a gang, associate regularly, and collaborate in committing
delinquent and/or criminal offenses. The group usually has a name and may have a
leader or leaders. The group may also have identifying signs such as distinctive
symbols, clothing, jewelry, tattoos, colors or hand signs. While gangs vary in degree of
organization, the presence or strength of leaders, identifying signs, and the nature of
illegal activities, the essential elements for classification as a gang are the gang’s
perception of itself as a gang and collaboration in violating the law.

2006 Gangs In Arizona

3

Arizona Revised Statute §13-105 defines a criminal street gang as “…an ongoing formal
or informal association of persons whose members or associates individually or
collectively engage in the commission, attempted commission, facilitation or solicitation
of any felony act and who has at least one individual who is a criminal street gang
member.” As previously stated, ARS §13-105.8 defines a criminal street gang member
as an individual that meets at least two of the Gang Member Identification Criteria.

GANG SENTENCING
The legislation described above also amended ARS §13-604(T) and §13-2308 to
increase the presumptive minimum and maximum sentence for convicted street gang
members by three years. This increased sentence is in addition to any other enhanced
sentencing that may be applicable. Additionally, ARS §13-604(T) mandates that “a
person convicted of any felony offense with the intent to promote, further, or assist any
criminal conduct by a criminal street gang shall not be eligible for suspension of
sentence, probation, pardon, or release from confinement on any basis except as
authorized by ARS §31-233 (a) or (b) until the sentence imposed by the court has been
served, the person is eligible for release pursuant to ARS §41-1604(7) or the sentence
is commuted.”
Arizona Revised Statute 13-2308 (F, G and H) outlines the sentencing provisions for
identified gang members. Subsection (F) states that assisting a criminal syndicate is a
class 4 felony. The statute continues that assisting a criminal syndicate, if committed for
the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang for the
intent to promote, further, or assist any criminal conduct by the gang, is a class 3
felony. Subsection (G) mandates that any person who violates subsection A, paragraph
1, 2, 3 or 4 of this section for the benefit of, at the discretion of, or in association with
any criminal street gang, with the intent to promote, further, or assist any criminal
conduct by the gang, is guilty of a class 2 felony. Subsection (H) states that the use of
a common name, or common identifying sign or symbol shall be admissible and may be
considered in proving the combination of persons or enterprises required by this
section.
Arizona Revised Statute §13-1202A.3, which describes the crime of threatening or
intimidating, states that “a person commits threatening or intimidating if such person
threatens or intimidates by word or conduct: (3) to cause physical injury to another
person or damage to the property of another in order to promote, further or assist in
the interests of or to cause, induce or solicit another person to participate in a criminal
street gang, a criminal syndicate or a racketeering enterprise.” Subsection (B) states
that threatening or intimidating pursuant to subsection (A), paragraph 3 is a class 4
felony.

2006 Gangs In Arizona

4

ENFORCEMENT
Enforcing the laws related to gangs and gang-related activity is a multi-level effort in
Arizona. Individual law enforcement agencies work to combat gang crime in their
communities, the state-level Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement
Mission (GIITEM) works to coordinate local and statewide collaborative efforts, and
federal law enforcement agencies also work to effectively combat gangs in Arizona.
Recently, GIITEM received a significant increase in financial support for its mission,
giving it a larger role in addressing Arizona’s gang problem. Therefore, this section
begins with a brief discussion of GIITEM and reports results from the law enforcement
surveys that directly apply to its mission.

STATE GANG TASK FORCE
Under the direction of DPS, GIITEM assists criminal justice agencies statewide with
criminal gang enforcement and investigative strategies. GIITEM brings together law
enforcement agencies from municipal, county, state, federal, and tribal jurisdictions in a
coordinated, intelligence-driven approach to deal with gangs.
In 2006, after several years of declining resources and downsizing of operations
because of state revenue shortfalls, DPS received funding to revitalize GIITEM and
added to its mission the combating of illegal immigration and human smuggling. The
new GIITEM task force is charged with:
(1) Deterring criminal gang activity through investigations, arrest and
prosecution;
(2) Dismantling gang-related criminal enterprises;
(3) Deterring border-related crimes;
(4) Disrupting human smuggling organizations;
(5) Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating gang and illegal immigration
intelligence; and
(6) Providing anti-gang awareness training to communities and schools.
The Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission also maintains a
statewide gang database, GangNET. GangNET contains information on thousands of
gang members, associates, and affiliates in Arizona and provides participating agencies
with access to photographs and information about the individual’s physical features
(e.g. height, weight, tattoos).
The state gang database provides a variety of benefits to its users. It provides
enhanced safety to law enforcement officers by identifying potentially dangerous
individuals. The database also allows agencies to obtain information about the
organization of gangs and identifies key gang members and other individuals loosely
2006 Gangs In Arizona

5

affiliated with gangs who are involved in criminal activity. In an effort to further
coordinate and encourage statewide information sharing about gangs and gang
members, GIITEM staff is adding new agency members to GangNET through a
memorandum of understanding that outlines the process for sharing data and defines
the roles and responsibilities of agencies utilizing GangNET.
GIITEM Participation
At the time the law enforcement survey was administered, 33 agencies who responded
to ACJC’s survey reported participation with GIITEM. Respondents who indicated that
they did not participate in GIITEM were asked to identify the factors preventing
participation (Table 2). Lack of personnel was the most commonly cited factor, followed
by lack of funding. The downsizing of GITEM prior to 2006 also was reported to be a
barrier to participation.
Table 2: Factors Preventing Participation
in GIITEM
Factor
Number
Lack of Funding
7
Lack of Necessary Equipment
1
Lack of Necessary Technology
0
Lack of Personnel
26
Lack of Training
3
Other Factors Preventing Participation
“GIITEM not active in area”
“GIITEM was disbanded”
“Lack of support from administration”
“No gang problem (yet)”
“No local GIITEM unit”
“Not a serious need in Yavapai county”
“Requested personnel to assign - but was not approved”
“Sovereignty”
“Used to participate but GIITEM was downsized”
“Waiting on GangNet”
Task Force Participation Other Than GIITEM
Seven agencies reported participation in both GIITEM and gang task forces other than
GIITEM. A total of 23 agencies reported participation in task forces other than GIITEM.
Respondents who indicated that they did not participate in task forces other than
GIITEM were asked to identify the factors preventing participation. Similar to barriers to
GIITEM participation, lack of personnel was the most commonly cited factor (Table 3).

2006 Gangs In Arizona

6

Respondents were also asked to cite any other factors preventing participation that
were not already listed.
Table 3: Factors Preventing Participation
in Task Forces Other Than GIITEM
Factor
Number
Lack of Funding
7
Lack of Necessary Equipment
0
Lack of Necessary Technology
0
Lack of Personnel
21
Lack of Training
3
Other Factors Preventing Participation
“Gang problem at a minimum.”
“Get more by working within Narcotics.”
“Sovereignty”
Factors Preventing Participation in Any Gang Task Force
Seventeen agencies that acknowledged the presence of gangs or gang activity in their
jurisdictions reported not participating in gang task forces of any kind. These agencies
reported that lack of personnel and lack of funding were the primary factors preventing
participation in gang task forces.
GangNET
GangNET was developed by a private company for use in California as a comprehensive
gang database. It was then marketed across the nation and is now in use in several
states, including Arizona. Primary benefits of GangNET include the ability to keep
photographic detail of identifying features of alleged gang members, aliases, and
detailed information on gang membership in a central location that can be accessed and
updated by officers in the field. This allows for participating agencies to share gang
information and gang intelligence easily across jurisdictional boundaries. Twenty-four
agencies in Arizona reported using GangNET in 2005 (Table 4).

2006 Gangs In Arizona

7

Table 4: Number of Agencies by County Participating in Task Forces and Gang
Information Sharing Strategies
Participate
Receive Gang
Disseminate Gang
Participate
Use
in Other
Information from
Information to
in GIITEM
GangNET
Taskforce(s)
Other Agencies
Other Agencies
Apache
1
2
1
1
1
Cochise
1
1
1
1
1
Coconino
2
0
1
1
1
Gila
0
0
1
1
0
Graham
0
0
0
0
0
Greenlee
1
0
0
0
0
La Paz
0
0
0
0
0
Maricopa
4
6
11
11
11
Mohave
2
3
0
0
0
Navajo
0
2
2
2
0
Pima
0
2
1
1
1
Pinal
3
3
1
1
2
Santa Cruz
1
1
1
1
1
Yavapai
1
2
1
1
1
Yuma
0
1
3
3
2

2006 Gangs In Arizona

8

LAW ENFORCEMENT GANG SURVEY RESULTS
The Gang Problem
Representatives of law enforcement agencies in Arizona
were asked to complete a survey that contained questions
about gangs and gang activity in their jurisdiction. Of the
113 law enforcement agencies in Arizona that were sent
surveys, 82 responded (72.6 percent). Forty-seven of the
82 agencies that responded to the survey reported having
active gangs (Table 5).
Table 6: How serious is the
gang problem in your
jurisdiction?
Very Serious
10.9%
Somewhat Serious
58.7%
Not Very Serious
23.9%
Not at all Serious
6.5%

Table 5: During 2005,
were there any gangs
active in your agency's
jurisdiction?
Number
Percent
Yes
47
57.3%
No
35
42.7%

Those that reported active gangs were also asked to
indicate the level of seriousness of the gang problem in
their jurisdiction. Nearly 70 percent reported that the
gang problem in their jurisdiction was either very serious
or somewhat serious (Table 6).

Half of the agencies reporting a gang problem in
their jurisdiction responded that the problem was
about the same in 2005 as it was in 2004 (Table 7).
Another 43.2 percent reported that the problem was
getting worse, while 6.8 percent said their gang
problem was getting better.

Table 7: Compared to 2004, was
the gang problem in 2005
Getting Worse
43.2%
Staying About the Same
50.0%
Getting Better
6.8%

Active Gang Member Profile
Law enforcement respondents who reported a gang problem in their jurisdiction were
also asked to report demographic information on the gang members in their
jurisdiction.
Agency representatives provided an estimate of the number of gangs and active gang
members in their jurisdiction. Added together, the total number of gangs in Arizona was
reported to be 631 with 14,949 active gang members. Table 8 reports the number of
jurisdictions by the number of active gangs in their jurisdiction.

Number of Gangs
Agencies Reporting

Table 8: Number of Gangs in Arizona Jurisdictions
1-2
3-5
6-10
11-20
21-30
31-70
71-80
6
10
12
4
1
0
2

2006 Gangs In Arizona

81-255
0

256
1

9

Arizona law enforcement respondents who reported a
Table 9:
gang problem in their area were also asked to report the
Arizona Gang Members
percentage of gang members in their jurisdiction by age
Age Distribution
range. Approximately half of the gang members in Age
Percent
Arizona are estimated to be juveniles and half adults Under Age 15
14.9%
(Table 9 and Chart 1). This diverges slightly from recent Ages 15-17
36.0%
findings from the National Youth Gang Survey that Ages 18-24
33.5%
revealed that approximately 60 percent of gang members Over Age 24
15.5%
in the United States in 2004 were adults and
approximately 40 percent were juveniles.1 In Arizona, nearly 70 percent of gang
members are reported to be between the ages of 15 and 24.
Chart 1

In the 2006 Arizona Youth
Survey, 3.6 percent of
students indicated current
gang membership (3.2%
reported that they now
belong to a gang and 0.4
percent reported that they
belong to a gang but want
out). An additional 6.6
percent
of
students
indicated either past gang
membership or a desire to
join a gang. Extrapolating
3.6 percent of the sample
Under Age 15
Ages 15-17
Ages 18-24
Over Age 24
to the entire population of
8th, 10th and 12th grade
students in Arizona yields an estimate of more than 8,000 active youth gang members
in the 8th, 10th, or 12th grades alone. The Arizona Youth Survey data does not include
youth who are not enrolled in school, 9th grade students, 11th grade students, or those
in juvenile detention or juvenile corrections at the time the survey was administered.
The number of youth self-reporting gang membership suggests that the number
identified by law enforcement is an underestimate. This is likely a result of stricter
criteria by which law enforcement identify gang members (i.e., the gang membership
identification criteria described on page 3 of this report) than simply self report.
Age Distribution of Gang Members

40.0%

35.0%

30.0%

25.0%

20.0%

15.0%

10.0%

5.0%

0.0%

Law enforcement agencies were also asked to estimate the percentage of active gang
members in 2005 that were female. The average percentage of female gang
membership across all law enforcement agencies was 4.6 percent. Here again there are
slight differences from data collected by the National Youth Gang Center. Their 2004
1

http://www.iir.com/nygc/nygsa/demographics.htm#anchorage

2006 Gangs In Arizona

10

survey of law enforcement agencies showed that among agencies reporting a gang
problem, the average percentage of female gang members was slightly less than 10
percent.2 However, other methods of research, including the Arizona Youth Survey,
have yielded higher estimates of female gang membership. According to data from the
2006 Arizona Youth Survey, 35.9 percent of self-reported youth gang members are
female.
Finally, respondents were asked to describe the racial and ethnic composition of gang
members in their jurisdictions (Table 10). These data suggest that in most jurisdictions
there is diversity in the racial and ethnic composition of gang members. Of the 47
agencies that responded to the survey and reported gang activity, 18 (38 percent)
reported that three-fourths or more of their gang members were made up of a single
race/ethnicity. Of the eighteen agencies that reported a single race/ethnicity making up
at least 75 percent of their total gang membership, nine reported that their gang
population was made up of predominately Hispanic/Latinos, eight reported that Native
Americans made up the majority of their gang population, and one jurisdiction reported
that their gang members predominately Caucasians. These data also suggest that a
relatively small percentage of gang members in Arizona are of Asian descent.
Table 10: Race/Ethnicity of Active Gang Members by Percentage of All Gang Members in
their Jurisdiction (Number of Agencies)
0.1%5.1%25.1%50.1%75.1%0%
<5%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Caucasian/White
12
7
11
7
0
1
African-American/Black
19
7
9
2
0
0
Hispanic/Latino
5
0
3
8
13
9
Native American
15
7
5
3
0
8
Asian
34
2
1
0
0
0
Other
35
1
0
0
0
0

Gang Types and Local Gang Problems
In jurisdictions that reported active gangs, respondents were asked the degree to which
neighborhood-based street gangs, motorcycle gangs, gang members returning from
prison, migration of gang members from California, and the migration of gang members
from Mexico affected the gang problem in their jurisdiction (Table 11). More law
enforcement agencies rated neighborhood-based street gangs as a factor that “very
much” affects the gang problem in their jurisdiction than any of the other factors. Of
those answering the question regarding how much neighborhood-based street gangs
affect the gang problem in their jurisdiction, 35.6 percent responded very much, and
2.2 percent responded not at all. Of the factors asked about, motorcycle gangs were
reported by the fewest agencies to have had a significant impact on their gang
problem.

2

http://www.iir.com/nygc/nygsa/demographics.htm

2006 Gangs In Arizona

11

Table 11: Factors Affecting Gang Problem in Jurisdiction by
Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies
Very Much
Somewhat Very Little
Neighborhood-Based Street Gangs
35.6%
35.6%
26.7%
Motorcycle Gangs
2.3%
18.6%
39.5%
Return of Gang-Involved Inmates from Prison
9.5%
47.6%
28.6%
Migration of Gang Members from California
15.4%
38.5%
33.3%
Migration of Gang Members from Mexico
15.0%
35.0%
30.0%

Not At All
2.2%
39.5%
14.3%
12.8%
20.0%

When “very much” and “somewhat” are considered as affirmative responses to the
question of which types of gangs affect an agency’s gang problem, and “very little” and
“not at all” are considered negative responses, neighborhood-based street gangs, ganginvolved inmates returning from prison, and the migration of gang members from
California were considered by the majority of agencies with a gang problem to be
contributors to their problem (Chart 2). The same number of agencies reported a
significant affect of gang members migrating from Mexico on their local gang problem
as reported little or no affect of gang members migrating from Mexico on their gang
problem. Motorcycle gangs were considered by the majority of agencies to not be a
significant contributor to their gang problems in 2005.
Chart 2
Factors Affecting Gang Problem in Arizona Jurisdictions in 2005
90.0
80.0
70.0

Percent

60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0

Neighborhood-Based
Street Gangs

Motorcycle Gangs

Return of GangInvolved Inmates from
Prison

Migration of Gang
Members from
California

Migration of Gang
Members from Mexico

Factor
Very Much or Somewhat

2006 Gangs In Arizona

Very Little or Not At All

12

Criminal Activity
Multiple questions were asked regarding criminal activity by gangs and gang members.
One of the questions asked agencies to report the three most frequent types of criminal
activity committed by gangs and gang members in their jurisdiction (Table 12). Drug
offenses and assault were the most frequently listed offenses committed by gang
members in jurisdictions with a gang problem. Drug offenses were listed by 43.9
percent of respondents as the most frequent criminal activity committed by gang
members in their jurisdiction, followed by assault and graffiti, which were each listed by
22 percent of respondents.
Table 12: Three Most Frequent Types of Criminal Activity of Gang Members
(Percent of Respondents)
Most Frequent Second Most Frequent Third Most Frequent
Drug Offenses
43.9%
15.0%
16.2%
Assault
22.0%
30.0%
27.0%
Graffiti
22.0%
5.0%
0.0%
Criminal Damage
7.3%
2.5%
2.7%
Shootings/Drive by Shootings
2.4%
0.0%
2.7%
Alcohol Offenses
2.4%
0.0%
2.7%
Theft
0.0%
15.0%
8.1%
Burglary
0.0%
10.0%
5.4%
Disorderly Conduct
0.0%
5.0%
5.4%
Intimidation
0.0%
2.5%
5.4%
Car Theft
0.0%
2.5%
2.7%
Homicide
0.0%
2.5%
2.7%
Possession of Stolen Property
0.0%
2.5%
0.0%
Property Crimes
0.0%
2.5%
0.0%
Robbery
0.0%
2.5%
0.0%
Fights
0.0%
2.5%
0.0%
Weapons Violations
0.0%
0.0%
5.4%
Vandalism
0.0%
0.0%
5.4%
Forgery
0.0%
0.0%
2.7%
People Crimes
0.0%
0.0%
2.7%
Misc. Criminal Activity
0.0%
0.0%
2.7%
Total
100.0%
100.0%
*99.9%
*Does not equal 100% because of rounding.

Chart 3 summarizes the criminal activity questions into a measure of the predominant
types of criminal activity engaged in by gangs and gang members in Arizona. The
percentages reported in this chart are the percentage of agencies that identified the
listed crime types as one of the three most frequent offenses committed by gang
members in their jurisdictions. Assaults and drug offenses are the two types of crimes
in which gang members in many jurisdictions are involved, followed by graffiti, theft,
burglary, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct.

2006 Gangs In Arizona

13

Chart 3
Most Frequent Criminal Activities Committed by Gang Members
80.0%

70.0%

60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%
Assault

Drug Offenses

Graffiti

Theft

Burglary

Criminal
Damage

Disorderly
Conduct

*Criminal offenses listed as one of the three most frequent types of criminal activity by more than 10% of agencies with a gang problem.

Drugs and Gangs
Half of the respondents in jurisdictions
with a gang problem reported that gang
involvement in drug sales had stayed the
same between 2004 and 2005. Nearly 45
percent reported an increase in gang
involvement in drug sales (Table 13).

Table 13: Involvement of Gang Members in
Drug Sales, 2004 to 2005
Increase
44.4%
Stay about the same
50.0%
Decrease
5.6%

Table 14: Extent of Gang Involvement in Drug
Sales in 2005
Heavily Involved
22.5%
Somewhat Involved
52.5%
Minimally Involved
22.5%
Not Involved
2.5%
Method of Dealing Drugs by Gang Members in
2005
Deal drugs as organization
6.5%
Deal drugs independently of gang
45.2%
Deal drugs both as organization and individual
48.4%

Seventy-five percent of respondents
reporting a gang problem listed
gangs as either heavily involved or
somewhat involved in drug sales in
2005 (Table 14). Only 2.5 percent of
agencies with a gang problem
reported that gang members were
not involved in drug sales in their
jurisdiction.

Law enforcement respondents were also asked to list the three drugs most frequently
trafficked, sold or used by gang members in their jurisdictions. Methamphetamine
received the most responses for the most frequently trafficked, sold and used drug
2006 Gangs In Arizona

14

(Table 15). Marijuana received the most responses for the second most frequently
trafficked, sold and used drug. Cocaine and/or crack received the most responses for
the third most trafficked, sold and used drug.
Table 15: Top Three Drugs Trafficked, Sold, and Used by Gang Members
(Number of Respondents)
Most Frequent
Second Most Frequent Third Most Frequent
Trafficked by gang members in your jurisdiction?
Methamphetamine
26
9
1
Marijuana
10
23
4
Cocaine/Crack
1
4
14
Sold by gang members in your jurisdiction?
Methamphetamine
25
10
1
Marijuana
11
22
5
Cocaine/Crack
1
5
13
Used by gang members in your jurisdiction?
Methamphetamine
24
9
2
Marijuana
15
22
2
Cocaine/Crack
1
6
12

Firearms and Gang Members
More than 60 percent of law enforcement agencies
with a gang problem in their jurisdiction reported
that firearms are used often or sometimes in
assault related crimes by gang members (Table
16). In addition, nearly 60 percent of respondents
reported that gangs in their jurisdictions are
involved in firearms trafficking.

2006 Gangs In Arizona

Table 16: Frequency of Firearm Use
by Gang Members in AssaultRelated Crimes
Often
18.9%
Sometimes
43.2%
Rarely
27.0%
Never
10.8%

15

PROSECUTION SURVEY
Thirteen of the fifteen county prosecutors’ offices that were sent a gang survey
responded to the survey. Of those, six reported a gang problem, including the three
largest counties in Arizona: Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal. Four others reported that they
did not know whether their jurisdiction had a gang problem, with one noting that law
enforcement agencies in that jurisdiction keep those statistics.
The most frequent criminal activity noted
by the five prosecutor agencies that
responded to this question was assault
followed by drug crimes (Table 17). This
is consistent with the results from law
enforcement agencies who also reported
that assaults and drug offenses were the
crimes most frequently committed by
gang members.

Table 17: Type of Criminal Activity by
Gang Members
(Number of Respondents Reporting)
Assault
4
Drug Crimes
3
Violent Crimes
1
Criminal Damage
1
Auto Theft
1
Theft
1
Robbery
1
Burglary
1
Drive-by-Shootings
1
Firearm Offenses
1

Generally consistent with data from the
law enforcement survey, county attorney
respondents
reported
that
methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin,
and cocaine, in this order, were the drugs that were used, sold and trafficked most
frequently by gang members.
Of the five county attorney offices that were able to provide information regarding the
factors affecting the gang problem in their jurisdiction, neighborhood-based street
gangs and migration of gang members from California were listed by three as being
very much a factor affecting their gang problems in 2005.
Table 18: Factors Affecting the Gang Problem in 2005
(Number of Prosecuting Agencies)
Very Much
Somewhat Very Little
Neighborhood-Based Street Gangs
3
2
0
Motorcycle Gangs
0
1
4
Return of Gang-Involved Inmates from Prison
2
3
0
Migration of Gang Members from California
3
0
0
Migration of Gang Members from Mexico
1
1
2

2006 Gangs In Arizona

Not At All
0
0
0
0
0

16

ARIZONA YOUTH SURVEY GANG RESULTS
The Arizona Youth Survey, administered every two years by the Arizona Criminal Justice
Commission’s Statistical Analysis Center, collects a wide variety of data on Arizona
youth, including self-reported gang involvement. These data allow for an understanding
of the level of delinquency, drug use, and gang involvement among Arizona youth. To
facilitate the strategic use of these data, state, county, and some city reports are made
available to policymakers and service providers through the Arizona Criminal Justice
Commission’s web site.
Of the 53,478 Arizona 8th, 10th and 12th
Table 19: Have you ever belonged
grade students who responded to the
to a gang?
question “Have you ever belonged to a Response
Percent
gang?”, 3.2 percent reported that they No
89.8%
currently belong to a gang and 0.4 percent No, but would like to
1.4%
reported that they belong to a gang, but Yes, in the past
5.2%
would like to get out (Table 19). Yes, belong now
3.2%
Extrapolating the 3.6 percent of 8th, 10th, Yes, but would like to get out
0.4%
and 12th grade respondents who selfreported gang membership to the entire population of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in
Arizona yields an estimated 8,400 active youth gang members. It is important to note
that this estimate does not include youth gang members in grades other than those
surveyed and it does not
Table 20: Have You Ever Belonged to a Gang by County
include data on youth who are
Arizona Youth Survey, 2004 and 2006
No
Yes
not attending school.
Apache
Cochise
Coconino
Gila
Graham
Greenlee
La Paz
Maricopa
Mohave
Navajo
Pima
Pinal
Santa Cruz
Yavapai
Yuma
Arizona

2004
94.2%
97.0%
96.1%
96.5%
95.4%
98.4%
96.6%
97.5%
96.9%
96.4%
97.2%
94.8%
95.9%
97.3%
95.5%
97.0%

2006 Gangs In Arizona

2006
93.6%
96.4%
94.2%
96.1%
98.3%
97.8%
96.7%
96.7%
97.0%
95.3%
96.6%
94.7%
94.7%
96.0%
95.6%
96.4%

2004
5.8%
3.0%
3.9%
3.5%
4.6%
1.6%
3.4%
2.5%
3.1%
3.6%
2.8%
5.2%
4.1%
2.7%
4.5%
3.0%

2006
6.4%
3.6%
5.8%
3.9%
1.7%
2.2%
3.3%
3.3%
3.0%
4.7%
3.4%
5.3%
5.3%
4.0%
4.4%
3.6%

Gang Membership
The percentage of students
reporting
active
gang
membership increased from
3.0 percent in 2004, to 3.6
percent in 2006. The data in
eleven of the fifteen counties
in Arizona showed slight-tomodest increases in selfreported
youth
gang
membership from 2004 to
2006 (Table 20). The other
four counties showed slight-tomodest declines.

17

Gang Membership and Problem Behavior
Arizona Youth Survey respondents in 2006 who self reported gang membership also
reported much higher lifetime drug use than those who did not report gang
membership (Table 21). For example, more than twice as many gang-involved youth
have used marijuana in their lifetimes than non-gang involved youth and more than five
times as many gang-involved youth have tried ecstasy or LSD in their lifetimes than
non-gang involved youth.
Table 21: Drug Use by Gang Membership
2006 Arizona Youth Survey
Marijuana
LSD
Cocaine
Inhalants
Meth
65.4%
15.7%
25.7%
29.9%
17.8%
28.0%
3.1%
6.2%
12.2%
3.9%

Gang Member
Not a Gang Member

Heroin
9.4%
1.7%

Ecstasy
14.3%
2.6%

In addition to higher rates of drug use by youth gang members self-reported youth
gang members also report higher rates of drug sales. Statewide, 39 percent of selfreported gang members reported selling drugs in the past 12 months compared to 6
percent of those who were not gang members. Self-reported gang members also
reported significantly higher levels of violence and weapon carrying than non-gang
members (Chart 4).
Chart 4
Problem Behaviors by Gang Membership
2006 Arizona Youth Survey
Sold drugs in the past 12
months

39.0%
6.1%

57.6%

Attacked someone intending
to do serious harm

Taken a Handgun to School

Taken a Weapon to School

Carried a Handgun

14.4%

15.8%
0.8%

35.3%
5.5%

41.8%
5.8%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%
Not Gang Member

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

Gang Member

Age of Gang Initiation
2006 Gangs In Arizona

18

Of those who self-reported gang participation past or present, two-thirds reported
joining at 13 years or younger. Compared to the 2004 data, youth gang members in
2006 joined their gangs at a slightly older age (Chart 5). In 2006 the average age of
initiation for gang members to join a gang was 12.8, while in 2004 the average age of
initiation was 12.6. Table 22 contains 2004 and 2006 Arizona Youth Survey data on
average age of gang initiation by county.
Chart 5
Age of Initiation for Students Reporting Gang Membership
30.0

25.0

Percentage

20.0

2004
2006

15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0
10

2006 Gangs In Arizona

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

19

Arizona
Apache
Cochise
Coconino
Gila
Graham
Greenlee
La Paz
Maricopa
Mohave
Navajo
Pima
Pinal
Santa Cruz
Yavapai
Yuma

Table 22: Age of First Gang Involvement by County, 2004 and 2006
Arizona Youth Survey
<10
11
12
13
14
15
16
2004 17.1% 12.4% 17.0% 24.1% 14.4%
8.2%
4.1%
2006 17.0% 10.1% 15.7% 23.9% 15.6%
9.8%
4.7%
2004
13.0%
11.6%
8.7%
15.9%
20.3%
17.4%
8.7%
2006
12.9%
5.9%
15.8%
20.8%
17.8%
11.9%
6.9%
2004
15.7%
13.9%
21.7%
22.6%
15.7%
6.1%
1.7%
2006
13.8%
8.6%
17.2%
27.6%
9.5%
17.2%
5.2%
2004
16.1%
9.2%
18.4%
16.1%
16.1%
10.3%
9.2%
2006
18.8%
8.5%
17.9%
28.2%
12.8%
7.7%
4.3%
2004
20.3%
7.8%
14.1%
17.2%
21.9%
7.8%
9.4%
2006
15.5%
9.5%
21.4%
16.7%
17.9%
11.9%
4.8%
2004
11.4%
20.0%
14.3%
22.9%
20.0%
8.6%
2.9%
2006
13.3%
6.7%
17.8%
20.0%
11.1%
20.0%
4.4%
2004
0.0%
11.1%
33.3%
22.2%
0.0%
22.2%
11.1%
2006
63.6%
0.0%
9.1%
18.2%
0.0%
0.0%
9.1%
2004
20.6%
5.9%
5.9%
29.4%
11.8%
11.8%
5.9%
2006
15.6%
3.1%
18.8%
21.9%
34.4%
3.1%
3.1%
2004
17.6%
11.9%
19.5%
25.9%
13.1%
7.0%
2.8%
2006
17.3%
10.9%
15.4%
23.5%
16.6%
8.6%
4.7%
2004
22.7%
12.4%
10.3%
21.6%
14.4%
13.4%
4.1%
2006
20.3%
8.1%
7.3%
21.1%
13.8%
11.4%
8.1%
2004
18.4%
8.8%
18.4%
25.4%
14.0%
8.8%
2.6%
2006
19.0%
11.2%
19.0%
16.4%
13.8%
10.3%
5.2%
2004
20.8%
14.9%
15.5%
19.9%
13.4%
8.0%
3.9%
2006
18.9%
9.4%
14.6%
23.6%
12.9%
11.3%
5.1%
2004
13.3%
12.7%
12.7%
29.1%
12.0%
10.8%
7.0%
2006
12.8%
10.4%
21.8%
25.6%
14.7%
10.0%
0.9%
2004
13.1%
16.9%
15.4%
23.8%
16.9%
7.7%
4.6%
2006
11.1%
9.6%
12.6%
27.4%
17.0%
13.3%
5.9%
2004
20.6%
14.7%
8.8%
26.5%
11.8%
0.0%
5.9%
2006
15.7%
10.2%
13.0%
30.6%
10.2%
12.0%
4.6%
2004
7.3%
10.9%
13.6%
27.3%
22.7%
9.1%
5.5%
2006
16.1%
8.8%
17.3%
27.3%
16.5%
8.8%
4.0%

2006 Gangs In Arizona

>17
2.8%
3.3%
4.3%
7.9%
2.6%
0.9%
4.6%
1.7%
1.6%
2.4%
0.0%
6.7%
0.0%
0.0%
8.8%
0.0%
2.2%
2.9%
1.0%
9.8%
3.5%
5.2%
3.6%
4.1%
2.5%
3.8%
1.5%
3.0%
11.8%
3.7%
3.6%
1.2%

20

CONCLUSION
Gang activity continues to challenge Arizona’s criminal justice system, with a significant
number of youth claiming gang membership and a number of law enforcement and
prosecution agencies citing it as a serious problem in their jurisdictions. Of particular
concern is the participation of gangs and gang members in drug sales and violence that
was noted by a large percentage of law enforcement agencies. Both law enforcement
and prosecution agencies cited drug offenses and assaults as the two most frequent
criminal activities in which gang members participate. Still another area of significant
agreement between law enforcement and prosecutor agencies was the finding that
neighborhood-based gangs and the migration of gang members from California are
major contributors to the gang problems in their areas.
Also of serious concern is that 3.6 percent of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade youth responding
to the Arizona Youth Survey in 2006 reported current gang involvement. Although 3.6 is
a relatively low percentage, this represents a large number of Arizona youth. According
to estimates culled from the law enforcement survey, youth under the age of 18 make
up about half of gang members. This suggests the number of gang members in the
state, including those that have not yet come to the attention of law enforcement, far
exceeds the approximately 15,000 gang members reported on the law enforcement
surveys.
Although the nation and Arizona experienced declines in crime rates from 2000 to 2005,
more than 40 percent of law enforcement agencies in areas with a gang problem report
that gang activity increased between 2004 and 2005. Nearly 45 percent of agencies
reported that gangs are increasing their participation in drug sales, with both law
enforcement and prosecutors reporting that marijuana and methamphetamine are the
most frequently used, sold, and trafficked drugs by gang members.
The data throughout this report, some of which is summarized above, clearly indicates
that Arizona continues to have a significant gang problem. It is hoped that this report
provides policymakers and practitioners with information that contributes to discussions
about Arizona’s gang problem and provides some insights that will enhance the
effectiveness of gang prevention, intervention, and enforcement strategies.

2006 Gangs In Arizona

21

REFERENCES
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. Arizona Youth Survey: State Report 2004.
Phoenix: Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, (2004).
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. Arizona Youth Survey: State Report 2006.
Phoenix: Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, (2006).
Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13 Criminal Code § § 13-101 to 13-800. Prepared under
legislative authority Laws 1956, Chapter 129. Vol. 5. West Group, (2001).
Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13 Criminal Code § § 13-801 to 13-3800. Prepared under
legislative authority Laws 1956, Chapter 129. Vol. 5A. West Group, (2001).
Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13 Criminal Code § § 13-1901 to 13-3800. Prepared
under legislative authority Laws 1956, Chapter 129. Vol. 5B. West Group, (2001).
National Youth Gang Center. National Youth Gang Survey Analysis. Retrieved July 25,
2007 from http://www.iir.com/nygc/nygsa/. (2006).

2006 Gangs In Arizona

22