This article says there are 8000...

[jules07]

Ugh. Such a distressing topic for me.

First - ya know how people say that you have no idea about what it's really like to raise kids until you actually have some of your own? Let me tell you, it's even more so with raising teenagers. Seriously, no disrespect to anybody who doesn't have teenagers right now, but I take it with a grain of salt when I hear folks say, "when I have kids" and especially "when my kids are teenagers". I remember being the one saying that. Now I have teenagers and have raised teenagers. 'nuff on that.

Somebody pointed out that it's not so much being concerned that your kid will join a gang, it's the atmosphere that being in school with them all day long creates. It's that whole gang "lifestyle" and the intimidation factor and all that. Makes high school life stressful. And it's probably everywhere, at least to some extent. But from what I've seen of Stevens, Warren, and Taft ~ don't want my kids there.

I agree with rd - bring Sheriff Joe in to build tent cities!!

[majormadmax]

Hey! Us "Dads" worry too!

As stated, be involved, talk with your kids and look for any changes in behavior that may indicate something is wrong. Nobody should know your kids better than you do (not always the case, but that is the way it should be!), and you will know if they are having problems.

And if there is a problem at your school, take action to get it addressed! The worse thing you or any other parent can do is let it go unanswered.

Cheers! M2

[Cookiemeister]

All this talk of "gangs" is a good deterant for keeping SA from overcrowding.