Rep Your Hood

Not that public safety's been in the news today or anything, but here's an interesting tidbit from that tireless fount of public safety parlance, Texas Monthly publisher and Public Safety Task Force member Michael Levy:

Here is a partial list of the active gangs in Austin, according to an APD presentation at the last PSTF meeting.

1. Tango Blasters (this gang is the one that we are seeing the most growth out of right now)
2. Crips (there are probably about 20 different sets that we see activity from, four that are very active and the one we are seeing the most activity out of right now is the Insane Gangster Crips)
3. Bloods (there are about 10 sets we see activity out of and the most active is the 02 Bloods)
4. Texas Syndicate
5. Mexican Mafia
6. Bandidos
7. Aryan Circle/Aryan Brotherhood
8. La Familia
9. Aerosol Bombing Crews (tagging gangs)
10. ROK (ruthless original killers)
11. MS-13
12. Companeros
13. Latin Kings
14. Latin Steel
15. Puro Barrio Unido
16. Pistoleros
17. Los Cholos
18. Sureno 13

Of course, our editor notes the Real Estate Council of Austin and the Downtown Austin Alliance barely missed the cut. Bummer.

The public safety discussion has been at a fever pitch ever since the budget began to rear its head in the late spring. Anecdotal evidence – and the jump in murders over last year (albeit, 2006 was a record low) – suggest it's getting worse out there. But still, it's hard to say what needs to be done.

FYI, I think the PSTF should make reexamination of the 2-per-1,000 police-staffing rule a priority, and suggest some ways to better allocate resources across the city. It's a start.