Norteño gangs increasing presence in Utah

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Programs such as midnight basketball in Salt Lake City have fallen by the wayside due to a lack of funding. With few entertainment options in gang-plagued neighborhoods and parents who often must work two jobs to support their family, many teens end up falling into gangs, he said.

While the answers to solving the gang problem are ambiguous, Leuluai said, it’s essential that Utah realizes the reach of gangs has moved into surprising places.

He cited 50 documented members of the Familia Por Siempre gang in Orem.

"In Orem," Leuluai said, pausing for emphasis. "Happy Valley."

"How can we stop this?"

mrogers@sltrib.com

Twitter: @mrogers_trib

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