News 12 at 11 o'clock, March 18, 2010

AUGUSTA,Ga.-- Finding solutions to the gang problems in Augusta --that is what a group of school community leaders and activists are trying to do. They say the county is in a "state of emergency" and something has to be done now. News 12's Melissa tune talked to them about the challenge of gang violence and how the group plans to take immediate action.

It seems as if there is a different gang meeting each week. Different groups meet and come up with different solutions. But this group is unique.
This group is taking their concerns all the way to Georgia's Attorney Generals Office.

"I know it hurts to bury a child," says Jennifer Horton.

Horton spoke at what's being called the "Gathering on Violence Intervention."

"It is comforting to see that something is being done and hopefully it gets done the issue gets resolved," says Jennifer Horton.

Even if the gang problem does get resolved, she'll never get her 18 year-old daughter back. Shaundrel Horton was shot and killed last June by another teenager. Jennifer says she believes the system is too "lenient" on teenagers who kill other teens especially those in gangs.

"Kids they get away with a little too much and that's what I feel, " says Jennifer Horton.

"I don't have gang problems at my school, but I have students who could possibly be gang members," says Dr. Tonia Mason.

Dr. Mason has seen the good the bad and the ugly as principal of Tubman's Alternative Education Center.

"I don't get the bad kids, I get the kid that makes the bad decisions," adds Dr. Mason.

Decisions - like joining a gang, breaking the law, and even worse killing someone.

"The decision that they made was a bad decision," says the educator, "But we're going to turn that decision around and make them better people."

That's why she's joining parents, community leaders and civil groups to fight the gang problem. The difference in this session - they're putting concrete solutions on the table.

"We are helping them deal with violence, helping them understand decision making and helping to resolve conflicts without fighting."

"Death.People are dying. People are dying senselessly,"says Rev. Larry Fryer.

Rev. Larry Fryer was at Shaundrel Horton's vigil. Almost year later, we're still faced with the same problem.

"I think the problem is the adults because it is going to take us who should have been there," says Rev. Fryer.

"I don't want to have to lose my child to the streets because of some other kid's decision," says Rev. Alexander Smith.

Rev.Smith says he has the answer.

"Richmond County has got a place for you," he says. "If you don't want to do the right thing they're going to sit you down and God is going to deal with you. So it's just best to do the right thing."

"Not just talk but who will help them," says Rev. Fryer.

"Straighten your act up, because it's not a good feeling for a mother to have to bury their child," says Jennifer Horton.

The next gathering on violence intervention will be Thursday, March 25Th at 5:30 p.m until 8:00 pm. at the Carrie J. Mays Life Center. The keynote speaker for that event is attorney general Thurbert Baker. Another speaker expected to attend is Mr. Bill Cain from the National Crime Prevention Task Force - Gang Intelligence.