Banding together against gangs

Parents of west county students have resolved to squash gangs in their schools before the problem reaches the tragic proportions of other areas besieged by youth violence.

Administrators, teachers and parents from the 19 Arundel and South River feeder schools said they were enlightened by a presentation last week inside the Village at Waugh Chapel community center in Gambrills by Western District county police Sgt. T.J. Smith.

During a student safety meeting Thursday night, Smith told them about the take-down of a Laurel-based Crip gang, West Side Mafia, the gang Dead Man Inc. in north county and other gang elements...