What can an individual do about the shooting incident?

One of the best things you can do is to keep an eye out for suspiscious activity. If something looks out of place or strange, it probably is. Report this activity to the authorities. Also, parents, KNOW WHERE YOUR KIDS ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING!!!

I agree we as parents need to keep better track of how our children act an who they hang around with. Then again its not the old days we cant do much, not like our parents we got the belt or what ever was at hand, now days you will get in to trouble for just about anything that has to do with that kind of punshment. Look at most adults over 35 we turned out fine

Assuming this is gang-related (although nothing to that effect was stated in the article), this is a really complicated problem. I have a 17-yr-old son attending CHS who has told me stories of kids he knows who felt they had no choice but to join one of the gangs in town. Apparently, the gangs target these kids, threatening physical violence against them and/or their families. So the kid either joins that gang or a rival gang for protection. I'm guessing it's fear of retaliation that prevents these kids from going to someone in authority when the harassment starts. So maybe more of a friendly police presence at the middle and high schools would be helpful. (Right now it doesn't seem all that friendly to the kids!)

I beg to differ. Some people in my own family over 35 turned out to be not so wonderful citizens. I also know plenty of people under age 35 that have turned out to be wonderful, law abiding people who don't even drink, smoke or do drugs. I've also personally witnessed an elderly man steal shoes! What can you say about that?

You should not judge, and use stereotypes. There is no such thing as a group of people who are all the same, especially if you're going to go by how old you are.

Um... all the smart guys in Columbus and surrounding communities quit using illegal drugs?? Illegal drug trade goes away, gangs go away?? At least their funding does.

Once again, only 3 or 4 blocks from my home. It's going to take more than a watchful eye to catch whoever did this. I walk my dog around the block here almost everyday around 10pm or 10:30pm depending on when I get home from work and I never see ANYTHING and hardly ANYONE outside. In all honesty someone must know who did this, either the people who were shot at or other's who knew the shooters to bad it's not going to be as easy as one of them coming forward, though I wish they would.

Thank you moderator/censor for keeping your head in the sand. This is free speech AND a democracy.....politically correct BS.....

this was suppose to have been a drive by shooting

at 7:30pm--would the average person look twice at a car driving around at??
I wouldn't, not sure to many others would notice it either
you can conceal weapons in a car, how can someone from outside know what is in there?


it's scary

(note to Columbus residents-lock your doors and dont go outside)
wow look what Columbus has come to YIKES

Pass a city ordinance against street gangs, boot the kid's family's (even the victim's family) out of town. Send em back to California if they wanna shoot at each other.

Landlords should ammend their leases to give themselves the authority to terminate a lease if an occupant is found guilty of gang activity, or any crime for that matter.

If every landlord did it, the problems would move away.

To Paulcan: I agree with you 100%. And it can start with the Trailor parks. Contact Mary Piitz (Owner of Carriage House)and demand that she give eviction notices to the family's who have had incidents involving gang activity. Same with Pat Adamy, and Richard out at College View, and any other property owners who rent to people. It's a more sensible solution then Fremont's very racist approach and targets the activity itself.

I dont think that it's a matter of what an individual can do, I think that it is going to take the entire community, rich and poor, young and old, to get this problem out of here. I agree with paulcan and phreakwars, start making people accountable. The landlords are at fault too if they know that they are renting to people with gang affiliations. Its time to step up before we are all run out.

gangs are aparently a 'license' to be a bully, a thug and to brutalize others: being part of the 'pack' mentality. Like a bunch of ferral dogs. How demeaning to be coerced into joining something so ugly. I think they should be outlawed. If you don't, you will live in a walled city, losing your well being and lifestyle that we so cherish here. all one has to do is look at omaha...we are miniscule in size comparison, but our lives could be as untenable here if we lack the intestinal fortitude to do what is right to protect our community and way of life. we will have no one to thank but ourselves if we do nothing. we need to be willing to do everything we can as a community to make it impossible for gangs to be tolerated or flourish. Not just the city council & police, but community leaders, churches, businessmen, educators and neighborhoods coming together to come up with multiple creative solutions! Thinking out of the box..isnt that what America is all about? not an either / or but a whole pallet of ways to deal with this alarming intrusion of lawlessness! Do we have the will to do it? Do we?

Adamy a new owner has made big strides to improving the trailer court. He has cleaned up the grafitti installed more lighting and more improvements to follow. Not all problem children come from the trailer courts. Instead of diversion programs start making the parents attend parenting classes. Make them do community service hours with their children.

Obviously, we don't move to that trailer court. And don't visit.

One thing we could do is quit treating these criminals with kid gloves! Get rid of the politically correct moods of politicians and slam these people, regardless of their age.
Sounds rough? Yes it does. But why didn't we have problems like this say 10 yrs ago??? Wake the heck up before things get like omaha around here.

One thing I would like to see is Columbus pull its' collective head out of the sand and remove the ban on concealed weapons. I have a CCW permit, but cannot legally carry a concealed weapon within city limits. I am not a criminal, and I do not break the law, and don't think these gang idiots haven't noticed that Joe Average Citizen can't carry a weapon without breaking the law. Which hoe would you rather break into, one that has a gun control poster on the door, or one with a NRA sticker? Even gang-bangers can figure this one out.

To R U Serious:
So what you are saying is that if all of us carry guns we will be safer. Oh wait, or are you saying that as long as the ones that want to carry guns can do it legally it will be better. I am sorry but i don't think your solution will solve problems, it will help escalate them. If a police officer stops someone and finds a gun on them when it is not legal they will take them off the street, but if they have the right to do so..... what is stopping them from causing more trouble. I understand your thought process but I think that would make things worse. Just my opinion.

The point of this topic is "What can we DO?"

It's is very easy to say "We need to do SOMETHING" or "the police" or "the community"...but what??? I have read all of these articles and posts and very few people have come up with any solid, employable suggestions. (Geo, phreak and paul being the exceptions).
It seems that most people blame "the parents", but what can be done to change it? Or "the community", but what can be done to change it?

We need some REAL, workable suggestions to improve our community. Everything else is just TALK.

Oh Please!! Nebraska's CCW law has been on the books for over a year and a half now.

Where have you seen permit holders causing problems????

Responsible, law abiding adults should have this option available to them. It's not the total solution but I believe it can help.

I like the Idea about landlords getting rid of gang members but the problem is something has to happen that is gang related before they can do so. You are right that the problem will move but how far.I guess it dont matter as long as it is out of Columbus.

To Please... I can't speak for anyone else regarding their safety, but I know I WILL BE SAFER! Any criminal or gang-banger for that matter has to think twice when they are in a community that allows CCW permits. I agree Tim, it's not the entire answer, but I have spoken with several Columbus officers, they know that the people that take the training and get their CCW permits, aren't the people that our society needs to be concerned with. Those against the CCW's need to remember, a criminal doesn't care if they are breaking a law, that's why they call them criminals.

I think it's time the federal government starts treating gang members like terrorists...let's face it, that's what they are.

Well we could wait for our city council to have a $50,000 study to solve the problem.

While I am a firm believer that there is absolutely no substitute for involved, committed parenting, I am a little leery of busting parents when a kid goes bad.

First of all, and we seem to have to re-learn this lesson on a regular basis, morality cannot be legislated. You cannot make parents be good parents.

Secondly, I have seen kids, products of the same household, of the same parents, go bad while other offspring in the same family become model citizens. Some kids just seem to "go bad."

And lastly, many parents live in fear of Social Services. It seems the State loves to interfere with the upbringing of children and what should be private lives. One phone call and a parent is suddenly in deep doo doo or at least faces a grilling from too powerful state employees.

Part of the solution? Vote!!! Vote informed!! Don't vote for politicians who won't appoint tough judges. Don't vote for politicians who blame everything and everyone but the criminals themselves for their misdeeds.

Watch court decisions. For instance, if a certain state Supreme Court repeatedly thwarts the people's will by rejecting , term limits, don't vote to retain them!!!!!!!

Oppose state and federal agencies and regulations that encourage single parent households. What percentage of the criminal population are the product of single parent households??? I'll wager it's much more that 50%.

Lastly, immediately enact legislation that allows no one to be fertile 'til they're 32.

To "I like the idea"

I said the lease violation would apply to ANY crime, not just gang activity. They might leave Columbus, they might leave the County, they might just move across town...but they'd have to leave. But it might create enough of an inconvenience for the parent that they'd start taking an active interest in what their kids are doing.

Last I knew you can carry a weapon as long as it isn't concealed.

Quit giving gangs all this publicity and hype. They feed off all this attention. They love the notoriety. It's probably a pretty good bet that even the kids who got shot are bragging about it all.

Has anyone thought about putting the work "GOD" back into the schools. It seems ever since we took HIM out of our vocabulary, bad things have been happening. Let's all pray for this to get better. It may help.

They are not gangs. They are thugs, trash and scum that do not have any descent friends!

Well "n", our dear Chief of Police made it clear to everyone a coupla years back that anyone carrying openly would be "detained and questioned" even if it's legal to do so in Columbus (and it is.)

Carrying openly is sure to create panic among the more sensitive types and will give the more tolerant people in our community an opportunity to get back at them "damn NRA types."

Out of sight. Out of mind.

So Tim, what would you have done had you been close to this incident and had been carrying concealed?

A) Bring back the G.R.E.A.T. program. While several students won't pay attention, it is still an opportunity to educate the youth.

B) Start a public schools dress code. I don't know exactly how strict of a dress code, but something that prevents cut-off clothes, baggy clothes, low hanging clothes, gang related clothes, and sexually provocative clothes.

C) Strict punishment for those found guilty of gang related activity. This includes illegal weapons, drugs, disturbance of peace, shootings, etc.

D) Parent education...on gangs as well as parenting in general...another article on the matter has said Hispanic parents are scared of punishing (i.e. spanking) their child and I can understand where they are coming from. Society as a whole has become very lenient with punishing children and a newer culture could be confused on what they can legally do to punish their children.

E) Landlord lease topic that others have mentioned. I completely agree with that type of statute. It may also make parents take a second look at their children's activity so they don't face eviction.

F) Start a safe ride home program...imagine how many bar patrons would take a $1-$2 bus ride home on a weekend night thus enabling the police department to focus a little more attention on gang activity and other issues within the city.

G) Random locker checks at school and periodic days with drug sniffing dogs at the entrances of the school at either the beginning or end of the day.

To curious,

I would have taken cover, called 911 and been a good witness.

If for whatever reason, I became a target and I could not escape, then, and only then, would I resort to using lethal force.

I'm not a cop and don't pretend to be one. I just want to go home at night like everyone else.

Dr. Hillyer said "I don’t think Columbus is that far away (from) crazy people in the community taking it upon themselves" to respond to what is going on. The crazy people he refers to should have started responding a long time ago. And I'm not talking about violence, I'm talking about accountability. My children love to go to the little park near Carriage House, but I can't allow them to go unless I go with them. When I do go, the other kids are cursing, disrespectful, & downright rude --- and I'm talking about the 6 & 7 year old kids! I will not stand for that. If any of those kids show that kind of attitude, the first response is a walk with me to their house to visit with their parents. If that does not garner a response, the police get called. I will not be kowtowed into doing nothing. This is my neighborhood, not Sur 13's or 18th Street's neighborhood! Take a stand, people!

Like the police chief said, it's the mexicans. 75% of violent crimes in this country are mexicans and black people. Those are the facts and we have to do something about it

I agree that if anyone is convicted of a gang related crime they should get evicted. Also one I read in an earlier post if they are convicted they are court ordered to not to associate with anyone in a gang with stiff punishment if they do.

I agree with kiwi. Gang activity should be treated as terrorism. Who doesn't feel terrorized by this? This would get more funding from the federal government and stricter laws. Possibly deportation or loss of citizenship. There has to be a very strong response that lets them know that this will not be tolerated.

I agree completely and want to thank "matt" for his A thru G ideas. Some or all of those ideas would be a great start for Columbus to attempt a grasp on this problem. My 8 year old son woke this morning and told me he had a dream that gang members tried to shoot our family while getting gas at a local merchant here in Columbus. Talk about scarey! I had to tell him that we were safe and that wouldn't happen... but really, I can't truly believe that anymore.

Cmon Columbus, get this nonsense wrapped up!

To: Tim

I don't understand the pressing need to have a concealed weapon. You can still take cover, call 911 and be a good witness. I don't know how having a concealed weapon will make a difference with this. I can just about imagine what would happen if the cops show up to a shooting call and find you taking cover with a gun in your hand. We would be having a funeral.

It sounds like most everyone is thoroughly fed up with this problem. Now what are we going to do??? How do we get our city back?? If we hold some type of event or whatever, we run the risk of a drive by with the gun pointed in our direction. How do you get thru to the children in these gangs when their parents are also a part of it??? ICE needs to come into Columbus and clean house!! Go to the jobs, go to the schools and go to the neighborhoods. Columbus and Schuyler have turned into disgustingly dirty towns that need cleaned up

Honestly I don't know if there is anything that we can just do here in Columbus. I think the problem lies in the whole society. Look back in the 70's how things were. Kids respected their parents and if they didn't they would be punished. As a parent myself you are scared to do the wrong thing because of "social services" What is wrong with giving your child a little tap on the rear for mouthing off? But now we can't even get loud with our children.

Matt has a lot of good ideas. Along with those ideas we need to also give positive incentives for good behavior. Millions of our tax dollars are spent through wastefull city spending. I think we could afford to spend $20,000 to $50,000 each summer on free city summer programs. There are many good Y programs, softball, golf, etc. that many kids can not afford, or the parents are not willing to pay for them. Disadvantaged kids that have good behavior, and work hard in school, could earn city scholarships to the summer program of there choice

Curious,

The gun, if it indeed would have been drawn, would have been holstered long before the police would have been on site.

It's usually all over long before the police show up.

CCW may or may not reduce drive by shootings, but it gives an honest citizen a fighting chance should they find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The concept of CCW is hardly new. Do a little research. It's not a problem elswhere.

Perhaps the Telegram should run stories about parenting techniques and programs about the benefits of volunteering and mentoring. Let's see how many of our citizens step up and stop pointing fingers.

I think that one thing that we can do is STOP worring so much about dui and dwi!! What in the world do we have to keep giving the police grants to get these people and keep puttin them in jail!! yes drinking and driving is WRONG but so is the 18th st gang and sir 13 gang!! They thing they are so cool coming by my house shootin and walkin all thug-like! I dont get it!! The police should be watching the streets! NOT THE BARS!!! Maybe that will help a little bit!!!!

You should stop thinking of it as hispanic street gangs and look at the ovious there are just as many whites in the gangs as hispanics the more your police try aressting and herasing them for curfew,and just stupid lil things there gona look for other means of ocuping there time. Most just go hang out with there friends not even looking for trouble so why do the police and schools heras them? because of the way they dress? Clothes do not define a person most gang members you wouldn't take second look at because they're white,or dress prepie,or there grades are outstanding who knows the ones you think are the more inosent may be or socioteys down fall

Leeroy--Get yourself to a school or into a GED program and learn to spell and express yourself. Pointing fingers at whites or mexicans won't solve anything. Education and jobs are the answer. I know they are kids, but that doesn't mean they can't learn or work for neighbors or at home to help their parents. Our kids have gotten lazy and are allowed to do whatever they want. You don't have to place your hands on kids to punish them. Take away what they really love--computers, hanging with friends, tv, music, etc. Then find them some useful activity--like work and pride in that work.

Well we all know that the gangs are here and we will have to deal with it correct. So lets start with the tagging. If the stores would start with keeping record of who buys it type and color and when. So when it shows up the person that got paint can get toothbrush and water can clean it.providing he or she is gang related. Iwent down tailrace a while ago and it looks rotten down there.

Are you all blind?? Gang activity affects the whole community and spreads like cockroaches. The infection of the community is a whole project that should be stopped by the whole community. This is not a solitary incident, it is a big warning sign!! This is also in our schools now as well as the community. It is time to answer the call.

Maybe a "Take Back Our Community" rally is in order. Meet at Frankfort Square Wednesday Sept 3rd in the evening at 7 to show the judge the community wants to be tough on Gangs. Anyone??????

to WTH,

"Columbus and Schuyler have turned into disgustingly dirty towns that need cleaned up".

I didn't see a front page story about a drive-by in Schuyler. Don't lump them into your problems. They have enough of their own to contend with. And you might try talking to Mayor Reinecke about how that community works in conjunction with the leaders of the Hispanic communities. Columbus might learn something from that "dirty town".

WHY DOESN'T THE TELEGRAM ORGANIZE A RALLY TO BRING BACK COLUMBUS TO THE ONCE PEACEFUL, FAMILY ORIENTED, AND FRIENDLY ATMOSHPERE???? WELCOME ALL RACES, GENDERS, AGES, ETC.... PRESSURE THE JUDGE TO PUT THESE CRIMINALS AWAY.. CLEAN UP THE STREETS.. CALL IN THE INS SQUAD TO MAKE SURE WORKERS ARE LEGIT.. WE NEED TO BRING BACK ORDER TO THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK IT STARTS WITH THE TELEGRAM MAKING A POINT TO HELP OUT SINCE MOST PEOPLE READ THE PAPER OR ARTICLES ONLINE!!!!! SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK COLUMBUS TELEGRAM?? ARE YOU WILLING TO HELP OUT AND ORGANIZE A RALLY OR DO JUST WANT TO CONTINUE WRITING ARTICLES ABOUT HOW BAD THE COLUMBUS COMMUNITY IS TURNING INTO???

To I Agree:
I wouldn't expect the Telegram to organize something that some would say is taking a political stance. I'd rather the paper stay neutral. All is needed is a peaceful gathering showing solidarity of the citizens of Columbus to our judicial system to take a tough stance against gangs.

ok first off if this 16 year old thought he was old enough to shoot a gun then maybe he should be tried as an adult, im not sure where his parents were at this time but obviously they didnt know where he was either. second, i think that all these kids these days think that shooting up someone or puttin there gang signs all over is so cool well ill tell you something it looks like hell. i understand that some of these kids are good kids that got with the wrong crowd and all but come on if there parents had any brains at all they would care enough to stop there child from hanging around these so called bad kids. i have two teenagers and one of them he isnt a gang member or anything but he also makes poor decisions, but i am on him at all times telling him he needs to make better choices and choose better friends becuse if he doesnt he will end up like his bio father and i know my son doesnt want to end up like him. but thats besides the point. i just feel that these parents should be more involved with what there children are doin, i understand that parents have to work also but i feel that parents shouldnt work the same shift when they have kids at home i think that one parent should be home with the kids expeacialy at night cuse that is when most of the gang related insidents happen. i often get asked why dont i move to columbus, ne? my answer is because columbus is getting just as bad as omaha or lincoln with the drugs and gangs, i will not put my children in that surroundings.i can remember when columbus use to be the place to hang out with your friends and have good clean fun, now im almost afraid to even come to columbus.i wish my parents and my sister and her daughter would move out of columbus, but that is there choice to stay. i understand that we cant get completely away from the gangs and drugs but we do have the choice to not use or join..SO ANY KIDS READING THIS I HOPE LIKE HELL YOU USE YOUR BRAINS AND NOT THE INFLUENCE OF ANOTHER KID TO MAKE YOUR CHOICES FOR YOU...

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to see what Schuyler has turned into. All you have to do is drive thru the downtown area. The gangs are in Schuyler just like in Columbus. All you have to do is go on myspace and check out some of the pages. They got their gang names splashed across the page and the names of thier gangs also. And it says right on there that they are from Schuyler. So dont try to act like Columbus is the lone city in this area contending with this because we arent. Schuyler has its own cleaning up to do regardless of whether you want to downplay it or not. I lived in Schuyler and went to school there, and it sure as hell wasnt like it is now. It was a nice town. I wont even drive thru that town after dark. Not to mention it LOOKS trashy now. So before you start acting like the problem just lies in Columbus, do your homework.

Parent of 5

What can we do, get involved not just your kids all kids, be a good samaritin see something wrong report it or stop it yourself. If all people were more invovled and didn't turn there back when something was going on less people would get away with it. Parents don't be scared to yell at other kids for doing wrong if parents are not willing to. Parents are not there always watching but most of the time there is an adult that sees whats going on. It will make kids think about what there doing if they are not sure if they are being watched.

Please people, I can tell you just what the solution is. Turn away from these gangs. Don't even talk or look at them. Let them do what they will and maybe just maybe they will go away. They feed off of the attention. Maybe if you see someone spraying a house or business, just look the other way. They want attention and that is what we are giving them. Make it no big deal and it won't be a big deal.

I live in Schuyler and love this town!! It is not dirty like Columbus. Schuyler is a great community that is GANG FREE. Columbus's trash may occasionally leak into Schuyler but we do a pretty good job of throwing it back over the fence. Think before you write!!! GOD BLESS SCHUYLER!!!

Turn away; where did you come from or where are you coming from? A free rein is all they need to become even worse than they are now. WOW.......

You are living in your own little world if you think that there are no gangs in Schuyler! In fact what you are saying is laughable. In the last ten minutes I have looked at 7 myspace pages of individuals from Schuyler who are blatantly advertising their affiliation with gangs, well known dangerous gangs. So go ahead and sit in Schuyler with your rose colored glasses on and pretend that its not taking place around you, but it doesnt change the facts. I love how you say you keep throwing Columbus' trash back over the fence. Again, thats laughable considering it all started in Schuyler. Soooo, if you dont mind, Columbus would like to shoo all the trash etc that started in Schulyer back to you. And fyi SCHUYLER IS NOT GANG FREE
Its people like this that make it possible for gangs and thugs to continue operating in their cities. Denial is the one thing that gives them room to grow.

Francis, I agree wholeheartedly! I can't be with my teenage son 24/7; if he is misbehaving in any way, I would hope that an adult would speak up and tell him that his behavior is not acceptable. And that includes spitting and using vulgar language in public -- both of which show a lack of respect for others. Sometimes if you put a stop to the smaller problems, you can keep the bigger ones from happening.

I was told by a teenager of a few of the "hot spots" for these gangs to hang out, but I was skeptical since one happened to be a local park. Curious, I decided to drive through one evening -- and, from what I saw & experienced (I won't go into detail), he was absolutely correct! I couldn't wait to get out of there & it was early in the evening. If these gathering areas are so well known & so obvious to the average person, where are the police that should be patrolling? I didn't see any.
I also hear that gang signs are constantly & very visibly shown in the halls at CHS, however, there was an article stating that no gang activity had been seen there this year by faculty. Do they even know what to look for?

I think the courts need to punish them for the crimes....and the cops need to keep arresting them....gang members broke out the window of my son's car, they were just out throwing beer bottles at signs and cars...we found them and they were pulled over but only got charged with drugs and alcohol...I turned in an estimate to the County Attorney but never heard a thing back....maybe if they had to pay for their crimes, or be locked up it might solve some of the problems.

Where are these "hot spots"?

Wow, I didn't realize how sensitive some people are!! And NO it did not start here..... read the papers... I am pretty sure this happened in Columbus!!! Maybe next time you comment back you should think about what paper we are reading here.... where did the shooting occur???? hmmmm...

"To confused
Aug 28, 2008 4:18 AM
Where are these "hot spots"?"

Tailrace Park or Pawnee park down by the river. Those are the ones I've been told about by my child. Try any secluded place w/few lights & lots of trees or other cover.

We've been to these places in the evenings & they're a bit frightening & we've never seen any cops patrolling the areas. Also check the grave yard the kids call the "Glowing Graveyard"-our child talks about lots of activity out there as well.

Pawnee Park - east & west sides, Carriage House, trailer court across from Behlen (Countryview?).

I think that the police need to potrol alot mor in areas where there are lots of trouble

On several occasions, has anyone ever seen the gang related graffiti on the east side of Platte County Museum? What would it accomplish to stick your head in the sand and ignore THAT? It's a residential area - there are kids living in the area who would have to see that every day!
Make the parents more accountable? Has anyone paid attention to gang related arrests in Omaha? The distraught parent is always there telling everyone what an "angel" their precious kid is and that they are not, and never have been affiliated with any gang. Talk about being in denial! And I think the same thing will be happening right here in Columbus too. Parents don't want to know their kid is a gang member.

I have to sit here and laugh at some of these comments!! I am a former resident of Columbus and it WAS a nice town...
To Matt...you had a lot of very good ideas and I hope someone (in the city offices) is paying attention to your comments and considers what you said...
To Schuyler....What town are you living in?? Let me tell you a little story about your wonderful town, my car was stolen from your gas n shop, oh about 8 yrs ago, and I can honestly say that I had not heard of anything of that magnitude having happened in Columbus around that time, not saying that it didn't but I hadn't heard of it. Also, my sister made friends with some of your upstanding citizens who incidently threw bricks through windows in my infants bedroom trying to get to my sister because she realized she was hanging out with a bad crowd and didn't want to have anything to do with them anymore. Oh and that was also about 8 yrs ago..... Maybe instead of pointing fingers at who's town is worse we could come together as two communities in need of help and figure out the best way to deal with the gangs together...as a parent of 5, I am scared to death to let my kids out of my sight when I am in either town.... I think that "Matt" and "Get Tough" had some very resonable ideas on how to get started on putting a stop to all the violence and take back your towns....