Fort Worth gang crimes up

[TexasStooge]

By Deanna Boyd , StarTelegram Staff Writer

FORT WORTH - Gang-related violent crime in Fort Worth has almost doubled over last fiscal year, an upsurge police attribute partly to the parole of violent gang members.

Fort Worth had 102 gang-related criminal offenses between October and August, including three homicides and 75 aggravated assaults, according to an informal report distributed to City Council members. Fort Worth counted 55 gang-related crimes in fiscal year 2001-02.

One of the reasons for the increase is that violent gang members convicted in the 1990s during heavy enforcement are now becoming eligible for parole, according to the report.