WASHINGTON, June 5 (UPI) -- Criminal gang activity, once primarily an urban issue, is increasingly spreading to suburban regions of the United States, according to the FBI.
Crime data gathered by the FBI suggests a shift is taking place in gang activity. The FBI says that criminal gangs are spreading their reach into suburban areas and that membership in gangs is on the rise, the FBI reported.
Officials say the criminal activity from suburban gangs includes assault and home invasions among other offenses like drug and weapons trafficking and murder.
"As our communities are exposed to higher levels of crime and violence, the FBI, along with local, state, and federal partners, are responding with an even greater measure of significant law enforcement action," Kenneth Kaiser, FBI Criminal Investigative Division assistant director, said in a statement.
"The goal is to take these violent offenders off the streets and make our neighborhoods safer."
