A New Client Base

Gang activity in the suburbs. Middle-aged gang leaders. Some members attending criminal justice classes at community colleges and learning Swahili to communicate under the radar. Lots of initiative misdirected.

The Chicago Crime Commission Report is an eye-opener. CBS2Chicago:

Published by the Chicago Crime Commission, the study shows that roughly 125,000 gang members pepper the suburbs, dominating Evanston and Waukegan. The surprise infestations are more upscale suburbs such as Highland Park, Naperville, La Grange, Hinsdale, Lemont and Hoffman Estates.

The gang problem has also touched Wilmette, a tranquil community that is relatively untouched by crime.

"It's pretty scary, actually. My children are grown. If I had kids in high school, I'd be more upset about it," said Jean Lyne, a resident of 35 years.

Gang members are moving into higher-income communities in search of a client base.

Here is a link to more stories. They are engaging in mortgage fraud, real estate scams, drug dealing, and identity theft. Girls are also becoming tougher and just as violent as boys. And there is crime at schools, which is underreported as gang activity.

The commission is a private endeavor, started by business leaders some years ago. There is also a link to the Chicago Crime Database, so people can look up activity in the neighborhood.

Looks like that needs to be extended to the suburbs.