ALTHOUGH MANY PEOPLE support efforts by the police and the courts to rid their communities of gang-related crime, most agree that such efforts will not entirely solve the problems posed by gangs. Most jailed gang members are eventually back on the streets, committing more crimes and recruiting new members. In fact, many people join gangs while in prison. As long as gang life continues to appeal to young people, they will continue to join gangs and cause problems in their neighborhoods. The best remedy for gang-related crime, nearly all experts agree, is prevention.

Organizations to prevent gang activity

A wide variety of organizations work to prevent people from joining gangs and to encourage current gang members to quit. These range from grassroots groups that organize within neighborhoods to organizations run by the federal government.

At the local level, concerned parents often organize...