Effectiveness of Racketeering and Anti-Gang Laws

Racketeering laws, when effectively enforced, successfully dismantled Cosa Nostra in less than two decades. A similar positive impact can be observed with anti-gang laws, as increased arrests and sentencing lead to a decrease in gang crime and recruitment. Conversely, when enforcement decreases, gang activity tends to rise. This trend is not unique to Georgia, as evidenced by the presence of 70,000 gang members statewide and 13,000 documented gang members in the prison system. The high numbers indicate a crisis akin to occupation by a foreign army, highlighting the urgent need for continued law enforcement efforts to combat gang victimization and recruitment.