Question

Overall, the impact of youth gangs on communities is felt in many ways. Intimidation of other youths, adults, witnesses, and business owners is not uncommon. Once the enormous numbers of homicides in Chicago and Los Angeles are factored in, more than one-fourth of all the homicides across the country are considered gang-related. . . . Gangs tend to propel youths into a life of crime, punctuated by arrests, convictions, and periods of incarceration. The costs to society are enormous. Each assault-related gunshot injury costs the public approximately $1 million. A single adolescent criminal career of about ten years can cost taxpayers between $1.7 and $2.3 million.

–“The Impact of Gangs on Communities,”
James C. Howell

What are the effects of gangs on communities? Check all that apply.

Business owners and families are intimidated by gang members.
Homicide rates increase.
The number of young people who are incarcerated declines.
Young people who join gangs are more likely to become career criminals.
Gang violence results in millions of dollars to taxpayers.

Answer 1

Checked:
- Business owners and families are intimidated by gang members. (Passage mentions intimidation of youths, adults, witnesses, and business owners.)
- Homicide rates increase. (Passage says a large share of homicides are gang-related.)
- Young people who join gangs are more likely to become career criminals. (Passage says gangs propel youths into a life of crime.)
- Gang violence results in millions of dollars to taxpayers. (Passage gives $1M per gunshot injury and $1.7–$2.3M per adolescent criminal career.)

Not checked:
- The number of young people who are incarcerated declines. (Passage indicates more arrests, convictions, and periods of incarceration, so incarceration does not decline.)