Miami-Dade is seventh on the top ten list of street gang members by county in the United States, according to statistics released by the FBI.
A total of 16,646 street gang members reside in Miami-Dade, as do 38 motorcycle gang members, according to the 2010 estimates, compiled from data from National Drug Intelligence Center and National Gang Intelligence Center.
The total doesn't include prison gang members, meaning figures are likely higher than the estimates.
Tops on the list is Los Angeles, with 68,000 street gang members, followed by Chicago's Cook County with 59,876. California's San Bernardino and Fresno Counties, and Minneapolis's Hennepin County round out the top five.
The only East Coast county to beat out Miami-Dade was Essex in New Jersey, which has 17,001 street gang members.
The comprehensive study discussed emerging trends in gangs and highlighted the proliferation of the Zoe Pound gang, which was founded in Miami by Haitian immigrants.
Zoe Pound continues to spread along the East Coast and Midwest, and is involved in drug trafficking, robbery and other violent crimes, according to the study.
Eric Matheny is a criminal defense attorney serving Miami-Dade and Broward. Call today to discuss your case.