RALEIGH, N.C. — Some of the state's top gang experts say more kids are joining gangs and committing more violent crimes.

According to the Gang Prevention Legislative Report released by the Governor's Crime Commission in March, suspected juvenile gang crime has increased nearly 50% over the last five years.

That data is pulled from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which gathers data voluntarily shared by law enforcement across the state.

While reported crime with suspected gang activity dropped among adults since the Covid-19 pandemic, it increased steadily for minors. According to NIBRS data, the number of reported offenses with suspected juvenile gang involvement rose from 397 in 2020 to 587 in 2024. Most cases within that time frame tended to involve a simple assa

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