News 12 at 6 o'clock, May 8, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---It was a school year characterized by young people taken out of school and into jail. They were accused of fighting, gang activity, and even murder. Now Richmond County school superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden is joining forces with local law enforcement and the media hoping to take back the streets by reaching out and getting up close and personal with parents and students.

"What better way to do that than to connect them with what's happening...music, the kids, and artists," said Minnesota Fattz who is director of Urban Programming for Clear Channel Radio in Augusta.

Well known Atlanta rapper T.I. could be that artist. He's had his share of legal problems. The latest problems are sending him across the country to complete 1,000 hours of community service and possibly landing him right here in Augusta.

"We're gonna bring him into the Augusta area to talk to our kids that are troubled," said Fattz.

The youth detention center, and the alternative school is being targeted as Augusta leaders plan a repeat of 2007's taking back the streets rally. Hundreds gathered including Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength. The focus was violence and the community.

"We had an obligation to go into our communities...go into our schools...and really motivate our parents to get involved with their child's education," said Fattz.

It's an obligation that is becoming more and more apparent as one by one children are stripped from schools and thrown into the criminal justice system. City leaders are convinced failure to act could mean the difference life and death.

The last day of school in Richmond Count is May 23, 2008. These summer activities will all lead up to that citywide PTA kick-off we've been telling you about in August.