On Thursday Dougherty County School Police gave the Gang Task Force an update on their efforts
ALBANY, GA -- As summer approaches a serious concern is whether or not young gang members will be coming out of schools and into the streets. On Thursday Dougherty County School Police gave the Gang Task Force an update on their efforts.
They say gang's just aren't a problem for local city police, it's problem that's hitting local schools.
“Inside of schools, mostly we see fights. They cuss out teachers, they cuss out each other, fighting each other stuff like that or the disruption of the school where a teacher cannot teach their class,” said Captain Theotis Gervin
But say while on campus crimes are usually small, they're biggest concerns is that schools can become recruiting grounds for gangs.
“That's where they are recruiting them at bringing them up through middle and high school. And most of the kids that are involved in the gang related stuff around the city came through the Dougherty County School System or are in the Dougherty County School System,” said Gervin.
With staff of about 20 officers, patrolling 25 schools can be a stretch. Now some city commissioners want the school board to get some extra officers on the ground.
“We certainly need to encourage them that they probably need some more officers, because we are concerned that a lot of activities that take place in the school system will spill over into the community,” said Commissioner Jon Howard.
The other item of conversation at the meeting was graffiti. The unsightly artwork has kept city workers and volunteers extremely busy as of late.
“This week alone, we're only at Thursday, we've removed about 32 graffiti sites in northwest Albany,” said Judy Bowles. “I think graffiti and gangs are pretty much all over our entire community.”