Fifty-eight percent of state and local law enforcement agencies report active criminal gangs compared with 45 percent in 2004.
At least 1,000 gang members live and operate in Ocean and Monmouth counties.
FBI Special Agent Bryan Travers says most of the gang activity in Ocean County centers on the Bloods street gang in Lakewood.
While drugs remain the chief source of income for gangs, law enforcement sees members getting involved in identity theft and other financial crimes.
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Information from: Asbury Park Press, http://www.app.com
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