You know those groups of tough kids hanging out in your idyllic town that you think kind of look like gangs? And you’ve dismissed those thoughts as silly or fear mongering? Don’t…dismiss them. The Minneapolis Star Tribune (and others) report that increasing numbers of urban gangs are leaving their city bases and setting up shop in the more “hospitable” suburbs. Where there are fewer cops, less well trained, and lucrative opportunities to expand their drug trade and other criminal activities.

The suburbs (thankfully) are still way behind cities in gang concentration and crime. But the trend toward suburbia, which started slowly decades ago, is accelerating. Hey, if urban yuppies with families can flee the city for the better life, why can’t gang “families” too?

Really, it’s no joke. But the good news is many local law enforcement agencies are aware of the problem and are bulking up, committed to being ready…and to showing any potential gang-bangers that their towns aren’t just a bunch of meek lawn-loving leaf-blower-wielding suburbanites…Well, maybe they are, but those suburbanites are now backed up by some newly trained kick-ass cops and anti-gang units.