Survey finds growth in gangs in Ga. and we are at ground zero

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Gang membership in Georgia has skyrocketed over the past six years, according to a survey released Friday by a nonprofit organization.

The survey did not show an increase in gang violence, but it did show that agencies report that gangs are responsible for about 65 percent of all crimes in Georgia.

That’s consistent with what the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office told News 12.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations Division tells us gang violence is at the root of nearly all violent crime here — as well as less violent crimes like bank fraud and car break-ins.

In 2024, Georgia is home to more than 127,000 gang members and associates, the Georgia Gang Investigators Association said.

That marks an increase of about 80 percent from its 2018 survey, which found about 71,000 members.

The number of violent gangs also rose from 1,600 to more than 1,900, the survey found.

The increase is “significant and alarming”, the association said – and the numbers are likely to be much higher. The survey took data reported from sheriff’s offices and law enforcement agencies in 86 of Georgia’s 159 counties, leaving 73 unrecorded.

“The increase in gang membership and violence is a clear sign that we need to take more aggressive and collaborative action to address the growing influence of gangs in Georgia,” GGIA President Jose Ramirez said in a statement. “The findings of this survey highlight the urgency of implementing comprehensive strategies to protect our communities and provide young people with alternatives to gang life.”

Ramirez said youth gang recruitment is of particular concern.

“They sell a gang lifestyle that ultimately provides a psychological trap under the guise of love, acceptance and power,” he said.

Gang violence occurs throughout Georgia, whether in a rural or populated area, the survey found.

In Richmond County

The CSRA has been caught up in a cycle of violent crime that has claimed more than 180 lives in the past two years.

Underneath this crime is the drug and gun situation happening in Richmond County, Richmond County deputies told News 12 a few weeks ago.

Hundreds of pounds of drugs, hundreds of guns and millions in cash have been found in neighborhoods across Richmond County.

Investigators track how much cash, drugs and guns are seized during search warrants.

Records kept by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office tell the story of what law enforcement is dealing with.

From 2018 to May 2024, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office seized $4,348,817 from search warrants alone. This also includes at least 1,152 weapons and 226 vehicles.

Over the past six years, there have been more than 2,500 arrests and nearly 2,000 criminal cases.

In terms of seized drugs, since 2021, when deputies began tracking fentanyl seizures, 39 pounds have been recovered.

As of 2021, this number has increased dramatically.

The total doubled from 2022 to 2023, and is on track to rise again this year.

Since 2018, investigators have seized more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana, 166 pounds of methamphetamine, 166 pounds of cocaine, and nearly 6,000 oxycodone pills.

Over Georgia

In 2022, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr launched the state’s Gang Prosecution Unit, convicting 48 gang members to date.

“When it comes to protecting our children, we must double and triple anti-recruitment efforts across the board, and we must continue to ensure that our law enforcement officers have the training and resources they need to bring serious cases that, ultimately, they lead to safer communities,” Carr said.

The survey was drawn only from data made available to the nonprofit, Ramirez said. He believes a good next step would be for the state to track gang violence data, allowing for a more complete picture.

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