Houston's police department is committed to addressing the threat posed by gangs in the city and has found that proactive and creative strategies have a significant impact on gangs. Gangs in Houston are classified according to four major categories: criminal street gangs, identity gangs, racist gangs, and Satanic gangs. Gang statistics since 1988 reveal a steady increase in the total number of gangs in Houston. In 1988, 23 gangs were reported; in 1989 and 1991, the number of gangs increased to 67 and 103, respectively. Of the 103 gangs in 1991, 98 (95 percent) were classified as criminal street gangs. These gangs represented the most hard- core gangs and were characterized by their propensity toward criminal activity and violence. The four identity gangs in 1991 were basically social groups and generally did not participate in criminal activity. The one racist gang in Houston in 1991 was generally aligned with the ideology of the National Socialist Skinheads movement. Satanic gangs followed the ideology of ritualism but were not linked to criminal activity. The total number of gang members rose from 333 in 1989 to 1,098 in 1991, a 230 percent increase. Blacks, followed by Hispanics, were most likely to become involved in gangs. Monitoring of gang members by the Houston Police Department is discussed, as well as the department's heightened response to gangs. Difficulties in computerized tracking of gang-related incidents and violence are examined. 12 charts