News 12 First @ Five --- August 28, 2009

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. --- The signs are all there and some are covered in graffiti. They're letting parents know gangs are alive in Aiken County what they need to be stopped.

Terry Drive sits in a quiet Aiken County neighborhood but lately neighbors are making a lot of noise, after finding their street signs and property covered in spray paint.

"It's things that hadn't happened before. Young people got a better opportunity now to do things besides join a gang. Gang warfare and all these things, they all end up in jail, the cemetery or hurting someone else or their family," said Melvin Newsome who's concerned about the graffiti.

Buildings and street signs in Melvin Newsome's neighborhood are now an outlet for gangs claiming their territory. Aiken investigators say gang members are showing up on the street and inside the classroom. From hand signals to notebooks to bookbags, they say they're popping up everywhere.

"It's not as big as California or New York but we do have them here in our county," said Sgt. Nancy Kieltsch of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say there are at least seven in the county:
Folk
Bloods
Crips
Nortenos 13 and 14
Soreno 13
18th Street gang

Some members are so young, they're still in middle school. "Unbelievable, unbelievable. They're getting younger and younger and we need to educate more to get the word out on the street. Parents need to be looking at their (children's) notes, school books, their bookbags, clothing attire. Look for flags, bandanas which is a display of the colors," said Sgt. Kieltsch

"A lot of people think my son or daughter won't do that, but that child will tell you one thing, get behind your back and do another," said Newsome.

If you believe your child is involved in a gang or if you suspect gang activity in your neighborhood, you can call either Aiken County or Aiken Public Safety.
There's a back to school event for parents that will talk more in depth about how they can keep their kids out of gangs.
It's at the Oasis Church on East Pine Log Road in Aiken, August 29, 2009 9am-1pm.