The Sioux Falls Police Department Street Crime Task Force is constantly working to figure out what street gangs are trying to infiltrate our city, and to prevent the gangs already here from growing.

Sioux Falls Police Officer Cullen McClure says, "Recently we've seen a rise in their organization to robberies and home invasions and crimes that are a more violent nature."

He's assigned to the Street Crimes Task Force and says there are about 37 street gangs in the city, amounting to around 365 members.

"I'd say our most active is gangster disciples which here in Sioux Falls is primarily a Native American based gang."

Officer McClure says higher concentrations of gang activity occur in the Whittier Park neighborhood and the east side of Sioux Falls.

Members range in age from 11 up to around age 40.

"A lot of our gang members seem to come from a poor family structure and they're looking for comfort and safety and acceptance of the gang to provide the family structure for them."

Officer McClure says the biggest way to deter your kids from gangs is to know who their friends are, and what they're up to when you're not around.