[Tom357]

Could we rid ourselves of the plague of gang problems.?...

I don't think so. It is human nature to form into groups. All life is brutal, violent and ultimately selfish, devoted to survival of the species. Strip away the social veneer and facade of civility, and NOLA shows how quickly human behavior devolves to the lowest common denominator. Gangs are groups. As long as there are humans, there will be groups. As long as there are groups, some will be gangs.

 

[Tom357]

Thinking more about your question, I still think the answer is "no" to getting rid of them, but I think an organized group could affect their behavior and provide some relief and control in a plagued area. Neighborhood Watch and organized efforts can be effective. Here in Richmond, we have seen a community drive away the drug dealers and prostitutes, but the problem didn't go away - it just moved. Yes, it is gone for that neighborhood, but another neighborhood has inherited the problem.