The city of Asheville, N.C., has hired two investigators to focus exclusively on the city's gang activity. The decision was made last year after the city determined that there were at least six gangs operating in the area.

"The investigators work with patrol officers, corrections officials, other law enforcement and citizens to identify gang members and prevent them from committing crime... Their goal is to concentrate on the law enforcement side of the gang problem, depending on the community to report criminal activity, and reach out to troubled youths."

The investigators, who were hired in January 2008, have already identified 20 gangs in the area, though the number fluctuates. While teens make up most of the gangs, investigators have also found motorcycle gangs and white supremacists groups. Read more at Citizen-Times.com.

Labels: criminals, gangs, juvenile_crime