Concern over criminal street gangs prompted New Jersey's Commission of Investigation to hold a public hearing in June 1993 to focus on the extent of the gang problem and devise solutions. Two months after the public hearing, New Jersey's Attorney General announced a youth gang initiative. Goals of the initiative are to control gangs by disrupting their capacity to engage in criminal activity and to prevent the expansion of gang culture and identification among young people. It is hoped the initiative will increase awareness and recognition of the gang problem; accurately identify gang locations, members, and criminal activities; assess gang characteristics in local jurisdictions; prioritize law enforcement's response to the gang problem based on local community conditions and resources; develop gang action strategies tailored to local conditions and resources; periodically evaluate the effects of local strategies; and mobilize law enforcement, education, and community resources to counteract negative influences of the gang culture. Characteristics of New Jersey gangs are described, and reasons why youth join gangs are identified. Criminal activities associated with gangs are discussed, including drug trafficking, extortion, robbery, alien smuggling, gambling, loansharking, murder, and bias and hate crimes. The use of weapons by gangs is examined, as well as gang language, symbols, tattoos, and clothing. Recommendations to solve the gang problem are offered that focus on community partnerships, outreach, youth employment, mentoring, havens, preventive and alternative education, parental involvement, conflict resolution, community-oriented policing, juvenile justice system reform, gun control, and the deterrence of negative influences. Additional information on gang activities in New Jersey is provided in four appendixes.