Study Links Violence and Gangs

Crime study finds link between violence and gangs ASSOCIATED PRESS 6:06 a.m. November 10, 2008 SAN FRANCISCO – A study on crime in San Francisco says a high percentage of the city's homicides can be blamed on gangs and career criminals. In evaluating the 98 homicides in San Francisco in 2007, researchers with the Berkeley Center for Criminal Justice determined that nearly half the killings can be linked to gangs. According to the study, 46 of those homicides last year were gang-related. Researchers also found that nearly three-fourths of the 38 suspects arrested in the killings had criminal records, with the average suspect having 12 previous arrests. Last year's 98 homicides were the most in San Francisco in 12 years. Police officials say they've been cracking down on drugs and gangs in five neighborhoods where the violence has been concentrated.    Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, www.sfgate.com/chronicle

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