Drug prohibition drives supply underground. Most dealers get their stock from someone else. This is an organized distribution network. Since it's all a criminal act, it's organized crime. Organized crime = gangs. If you don't know where to get drugs, chances are that you know someone who knows where to get drugs, because they're everywhere. Also look at the Mexican drug cartels and US drug-related incarceration rates. This all leads to the conclusion that gangs are everywhere in the US, you just don't see them hanging out on street corners as you see them in movies/tv, although if you drive into rough areas where cops don't dare go, you can see the stereotypical gangstas on the corner doing their thing.
Earlier in the decade, I saw more bloods than crips. Lately, I've seen more crips than bloods. I think crips are making their way back through the Houston area.
No, it is not as prevalent as they show it on television. Television also tends to glorify it. Most gang related issues are low level street stuff. Most of the gang members are so poor they still live with their parents. It is pathetic. It was a problem when I was in school, but certainly not like television says.
Depends where you are. If you're in my town- you'll find a lot of white kids who think they're in gangs. Obviously, in most of the cities you find neighborhoods with a gang problem. But it's not as bad as the '80s or '90s. Times Square- for instance- used to be a hell hole, but now the only crime there is the rape and pillage of it by tourists. But, don't go to Camden (in New Jersey).
Also, try to avoid the Montrose/Westheimer area of Houston where this type of gang activity is very prevalent. Spoiler
Statistically it is more prevalent in America than any developed nation in the world. So while it is unlikely that tv/media will give you an accurate depiction of gang crime in a specific country, it seems logical that the tv shows show a far higher rate of gang crime in the US than any other developed country.
I don't know about the rest of the country, but in California the gang culture starts and ends with the prison system, dominated by the Mexican Mafia culture and the ensuing Nortenos vs Surenos conflict that has spilled out onto the streets since the 60's, American Me style... but if you're not a career criminal or involved in a life of crime, you probably won't encounter any of these people. there are some corners and blocks in greater Los Angeles that I wouldn't want to be stuck with a flat tire... but if someone asks you "where you from" the best answer is to capitulate and tell them you aren't interested in any conflict. they are mostly interested in protecting their turf from other gangs.
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Are we talking about just gang related activity or any thug? If we're talking about gangs there's very little for you to worry about. It's usually gang vs. gang crime. And please...Houston hoods aren't that rough. It's not that people aren't tough here, it's just they're more concerned with making a buck than killing over territory.
Personally exposed to gang activity? MMM... twice First day of school freshman year there was a latin gang fight that resulted in a stabbing in the cafeteria. Then 2 weekends ago I went to apparently a bad side of Austin, 12th and Chicon, where some guy tried to sell me crack at the stop light. Oh yah and I had two friends in college who were former gang members. Crazy thing is one was a Crip, the other a Blood, they were friends but both liked the same girl and they scuffled a lot. The blood was like 6'7" and he always liked to pull his knife out around me because I was a scared white boy. Surprisingly, I liked the tall knife guy, the other guy I thought wanted to kill me, but it turns out he just wanted a threesome with the girl I was sitting with...
