SPRINGFIELD -- Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Darrell Moore says the good news is he doesn't think gangs in Springfield are a growing problem.  He says the bad news is gangs are still operating here.

Graffiti popped up all over Springfield two years ago, a product of local gangs marking their territory.

"We were seeing what we thought was an escalation and the primary concern was to stop the escalation both last year and then two years ago and, in both cases, we did that," said Moore.

But, he says, that's not to say the work is done.  A newly-released gang report from the FBI shows Greene County could have up to 500 gang members.

"People should not be lured into a false sense of security.  We have got to be vigilant," said Moore. 

He says, so far, it seems authorities have been.  City police along with Greene County sheriff's deputies developed a special task force two years ago.  They were out to get 14 suspected gang criminals who they believed were linked to about 20 shootings in the city.  As of Tuesday, 12 of the 14 were charged.  Officers were still tracking the other two.

But just a few weeks ago, more markings showed up in the downtown area.  Police say they could be the work of gangs.

"Some of the graffiti that we've seen does have symbols that represent some type of gang affiliation.  Some of it appears to not be," said Springfield Police Major Kevin Routh.

Local authorities say it's partially up to the community to keep gangs from moving in.

"I wouldn't say gang activity has gotten markedly worse, or that we see any alarm bells.  This is still one of the safest places to live in the country and I think the report should remind us to be vigilant and not become complacent," said Moore.

He says the main reason that gangs leave larger cities and come to the Springfield area is there is a market for drugs in this town.   He says gang members come here knowing they will be able to sell crack.  And, across the board, the report says gangs are migrating to smaller and rural communities.

To view the entire FBI Gang Assessment report, click here.