Some of the state's top gang experts say more kids are joining gangs and committing more violent crimes.
According to the Gang Prevention Legislative Report released by the Governor's Crime Commission in March, suspected juvenile gang crime has increased nearly 50% over the last five years.
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That data is pulled from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which gathers data voluntarily shared by law enforcement across the state.
While reported crime with suspected gang activity dropped among adults since the Covid-19 pandemic, it increased steadily for minors. According to NIBRS data, the number of reported offenses with suspected juvenile gang involvement rose from 397 in 2020 to 587 in 2024. Most cases within that time frame tended to involve a simple assault, aggravated assault, or intimidation.
"Young people, under the age of 18, who are violently attacking someone else. This is happening in someone's home community, in their neighborhood. And there is a reason behind it," said Caroline Farmer, the executive director of the commission.
She said finding a reason behind the increase means bringing more people to the table.
The spike in teens committing gang-related crimes was investigated in Easy Target, a documentary produced by WRAL reporter Cristin Severance. They found that a change in North Carolina law may have contributed to the increase in crime.
>>WRAL Documentary: 'Easy Targets' -- gangs getting younger in NC
On Dec. 1, 2019, North Carolina raised the age for juvenile offenses from 16 or 17 years old to 18 for non-violent crimes. While teens can still be tried as adults for more violent crimes, law enforcement told WRAL News in 2024 that the interpretation and manipulation of that law played a part in the rise in juvenile violent crime and the recruiting of young gang members.
Last month, Governor Josh Stein signed Executive Order 21, establishing the Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force.
The group is expected to have around 20 members who will ultimately push for any legislative changes or funding they think can make a difference.
Farmer said they're hoping to get members who are on the ground, working with at-risk youth, including people who have former gang experience themselves.
"They're living and breathing something that we are being theoretical about, or we've read reports about. They are day in and day out involved," Farmer said.
Applications for the task force will open soon.
Farmer said they'll also ask the public about what changes they want to see when it comes to curbing gang violence.
"There's a point where you can really make a difference in someone's future and directing them off the path, and that's going to take young people in a community being involved in youth lives and making sure that they have the path available to them," Farmer said.
The task force is set to have its first meeting in November.