verb (used with object) 1. to make (something broken, worn, torn, or otherwise damaged) whole, sound, or usable by repairing: to mend old clothes; to mend a broken toy. 2. to remove or correct defects or errors in.
Today, the Chicago Police Department is doing something similar with gangs. Using a tool academics call ânetwork analysis,â the CPD is mapping the relationships among Chicagoâs 14,000 most active gang members. Itâs also ranking how likely those people are to be involved in a homicide, either as victims or offenders.
The FBI estimates that 44,000 Americans belong to these groups, according to its 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment. These members make up approximately 3,000 gangs. There are about 500 large motorcycle gangs and 2,500 smaller, more disorganized gangs in the United States, according to CNN. The DOJ keeps track especially of the Bandidos, Black Pistons, Hells Angels, Mongols, Outlaws, Pagans, Sons of Silence, and Vagos motorcycle clubs.