The Triangle is among four metro areas nationwide to receive a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Justice grant to fight gangs.
State statistics show a growing gang problem. In 1999, North Carolina had 332 gangs and more than 5,000 gang members, but by 2004, those numbers had swelled to 387 gangs and 8,517 gang members.
Some of the largest concentrations of gangs are in Raleigh and Durham, authorities said.
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