OUR MOTIVATION

New Mexico ranks #1 in the nation for property crime, followed by #2 in violent crime and #6 for drug-related crime. For every officer in New Mexico, there are 5+ documented gang members in our communities. More than half of our inmate populations are documented gang members, of whom attribute to a majority of the institutional drug trafficking and violence. New Mexico is 1 of the 5 states without laws that define gang-related terms and the only state without laws that provide for penalties (including enhanced penalties), fines, or damages for gang-related criminal acts. Additionally, we were one of the few states in the nation without a gang investigators association until now!

WHAT IS A GANG?

Although New Mexico has no "official" definition of a gang, we recognize that a gang can be defined as a group of three (3) or more persons who may have a common identifying sign, symbol or name and who individually or collectively engage in, or have engaged in, criminal activity which creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.

THE THREAT

Gangs are an international and domestic threat, offering at minimum a network of criminal associates. In some cases, have been structured as paramilitary organizations. Some identify with and have gone as far as traveling to fight along side known terrorist organizations. Approximately 2-5% of our military personnel have some level of affiliation with a gang. Gangs have evolved beyond the traditional "Barrio" concept, forming new alliances and partnering with Transnational Criminal Organizations. Members are of mixed race, ethnicity and may belong to more than one gang.