I agree with you Lisa,the youth in Union S.C.need something other than city park or A new WAL-MART to hang out at. I left that town 25yrs. ago and it's still the same.As far as gangs sign's spray painting that is,you do not have tobe in a gang to do that.I live in the outer suburbs of Baltimore MD.and I see the same griffiti on the fence's of homes cost half mil. dollars or more,not gang members in no way at all.As far as the BLACK VS. WHITE thing it's UNION SC.I don't think that's going to change anytime soon!I'am sure that some people still think A BLACKMAN carjacked SUSAN SMITH.O'ya MR.JACKSON played A postive role in my life also.

THEY SAY THAT PEOPLE WHO JOINS GANGS ARE SEARCHING FOR THE NEED TO BELONG. MAYBE IF THE PARENTS OF THESE GANG MEMBERS MAKE THEM FEAL LOVED AND NEEDED THEY WILL NOT GO IN THE ROUTE THEY HAVE TAKEN.

I FEEL IT IS UP TO THE PARENTS TO KEEP THE YOUTH OFF THE STREETS AT NIGHT. MAYBE GIVE THEM A GOAL TO WORK TOWARDS.

GET THEM INTO CHURCH.

The way children wear their clothes has nothing to do with this. you can not make me believe that if these were teens that walked around half naked you would even think they were in a gang. THe problem in Union, our small country town, is that these kids have nothing to do. They have no where to go and have fun. If they get together in the Winn Dixie parking lot they are told to leave. And most the time they are listening to music, throwing the football or even another little game I have seen them play. They dont cause trouble. These kids are our future and they notice that the white kids can do it but not the black, whick cause tension. What happened to keeping them busy, we closed the bowling alley, they are to old for the skating rink, and they cant just hang out twith their friends. If they go to the movies and do not have a car and wait to long for a ride the police make them walk home, but if it after 10 then the police pull them over and tell them if they see them again the will take them to headquarters to call their parents. Which is where they were going in the first place. They can only play sports until a certain age then they are to old. We as the caring community ,that we claim to be, should find things for our children to do. Spend more time as a family, do things together. There once was a place on 215 that was for the youth, they play video games, pool, and just hang out. THat was the Salvation Army, well it closed. As far as sugar coating things, you have lived in Columbia for 9 years, have you ever thought about the children who had that same teacher that was not happy with him. Being told that they will never amount to nothing, or "that is why your dad left you a young age" or he would rather see you in a tombsstone. Children are being removed from his class for comments like these, and it has been happening for years. We have a resposibilty to our children to encourage them a boust them up to want to do better, not insult them so bad they dont care. So these children are seeking negative attention that us as parents or adults have failed to give them. Find something that they can do, sports, VIdeo games, or even pool. Just somewhere for teens to go. I personally would rather have my sons friends come to my house so I know where they are and that they are not in trouble.

let me tell u how it is the gang problem has been around but the people that's in union don't know what to look for and how to determine who's in or out it don't take a genius to figure this out first take a look at the trouble makers in the school look how they wear their clothes,hats,cellphone colors,etc. and the most important thing to do is talk to these guys or girls come up with some type of program to let these kids know the good and bad about gangs treat this situation like recruiting for football and boy we know that union is football you got to talk with the troubled teens and see what they got to say and how they feel and this will i promise will help out the teachers if they know where the teens are coming from and kinda get a better understanding of life itself remember teens are kids and don't get me wrong it also can be a solution to the problem the parents and grandparents teachers councilmen and women can take part in the community and schools right now the gang stuff has been at a standstill for the last 15 years it hasn't changed but give it 3-5 years and you will see a dramatic change i'm from union and i been living in the columbia area for 9 years and i see the gang stuff spreading in areas where everything moves slow and those areas become warzones people fighting for turf parents,cops,teachers everybody need to know what the hand signs hand shake means so when they see it something can be done not saying be negative about it just asks questions they will be glad to talk about it when u gain their trust don't be scared i had a teacher that influenced me he talk about the good bad and ugly he didn't sugar coat anything he keep it REAL and old fashion (mr.cleveland jackson)