Texas DPS Releases Gang Threat Assessment For 2015

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DALLAS (CBSDFW) - The Texas Department of Public Safety released the 2015 Texas Gang Threat Assessment, which was designed to provide an overview of gang activity in the state of Texas.

"Because of their propensity for violence and close associations with ruthless Mexican cartels, gangs are a serious threat to public safety in Texas. Our residents have a right to live free from fear and crime, and DPS remains steadfast in our mission to identify, dismantle and disrupt these criminal organizations," said DPS Director Steven McCraw. "The 2015 Texas Gang Threat Assessment delivers valuable information about the gangs operating in our state and is a proven tool in law enforcement's fight against these dangerous groups."

According to the DPS, the assessment requires an annual report to be submitted to the governor and Texas Legislature about the statewide criminal gangs. Multiple law enforcement agencies are involved with the task of creating the overview of gang activity in the state.

The assessment included the following:

• Estimates of current gang membership across the state may exceed 100,000 individuals.
• Gangs continue to represent a significant public safety threat to Texas due to their propensity for violence and heightened level of criminal activity. Of the incarcerated gang members within Texas Department of Criminal Justice prisons, more than 60 percent are serving a sentence for violent crimes, including robbery, homicide, and assault/terroristic threat.

• The Tier 1 gangs in Texas for 2015 are Tango Blast and Tango cliques (estimated 15,000 members), Texas Syndicate (3,400 members), Texas Mexican Mafia (4,700 members), Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) (800 members), and Latin Kings (2,100 members). These groups pose the greatest gang threat to Texas due to their relationships with Mexican cartels, high levels of transnational criminal activity, level of violence, and overall statewide presence.

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