Stedman
Graham
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By
Neil Hopwood
editor
Local
parties working to organize resources to best combat the spread
and influence of gangs met twice publicly this past week, first
at Coker College and then at Mayo High School for Mathematics,
Science and Technology.
Attending the second event was Stedman Graham, who has written
books dealing with gangs and youths, and has been a part of the
local effort. After a move from the school’s large cafeteria
to a snug classroom due to an electrical problem, Graham said
that gangs thrive when adults don’t provide needed leadership. |
“Leadership
is everything,” Graham said. “Without it you have chaos
... I think that’s why this is important, because you represent
the one percent.”
Many youths
don’t develop strong identities, which is made worse by focusing
on memorization rather than problem-solving in school. The community
meetings are a good step.
“If you have a plan, and the resources, then you’ll be able
to take charge,” Graham said of the adults. “If you don’t
take charge what happens is the gangs take over because they take charge.
They have a plan, and are out there every day trying to get the resources
they need.”
Taking the front next at the Mayo event was the Honorable Judge William
R. Byars, Jr., director of the SC Department of Juvenile Justice.
“You are about to do something that every community in the state
needs to do,” Byars said, pointing out that some communities don’t
believe they have gangs. His community, Camden, seemed to feel that
way until a recent gang homicide, he said.
“You will not solve your neighborhood problems from Washington,
or Columbia,” he warned.
Resources
can be made available but local leadership is needed.
“When you have that vision or plan you have to sell it, you
have to go out and find likeminded people,” Byars said.
“And you have to find the right people to execute it, and
you have to give them credit.”
Byers pointed out four things that attract people to gangs: respect,
the need for protection, income, and family tradition. Many of the
15,000 kids who go through DJJ every year are part of gangs, he
said.
“You’ve got to understand where these kids are coming
from,” Byars said. “You’ve got to see the world
through their eyes, and then you can try to overcome what it is
that gangs are offering them. You cannot arrest your way out of
this problem.”
The average age of a gang member is 15 years, eight months. He believes
that putting those kids behind bars, behind fences, only hardens
them for more gang service. Statistics back that up, Byers said.
Currently, about 65 percent of DJJ kids come back.
“If gangs were going to devise a system to
spread themselves through that state, to spread this cancer, they
would design the system that we to some extent still have now,”
he said. |
Local
Department
of Juvenile Justice facts
•6,890—The number of local school-aged youths ages 10-16.
•3,626—The number of local youths living in poverty
ages 5-17.
•473—The number of local youths referred to DJJ in the
fiscal year 2006-2007.
•29—The number of local youths evaluated by DJJ.
•39—The number of local youths committed to DJJ.
•69/18—The number of local youths on probation/intensive
supervision by DJJ (current).
•91—The number of local youths involved in prevention/diversion/early
intervention programs.
•15 years, eight months—The average age of a gang member.
•Top five offenses in Darlington County for youths—disturbing
schools, running away, simple assault and battery, simple possession
of marijuana.
•Top five youth offenses across the state—disturbing
schools, simple assault and battery, public disorderly conduct,
shoplifting, truancy.
•Top signs of gang involvement—drastic change in mood,
school performance, eating habits; wearing same colors every day;
referring to other kids by nicknames. |
Next
week the News and Press will take a look at some of the solutions offered,
as well as talk to local officials about the problem.
Click here for part two.
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