"Once found principally in large cities, violent street gangs now affect public safety, community image, and quality of life in communities of all sizes in urban, suburban, and rural areas. No region of the United States is untouched by gangs."

-National Alliance of Gang Investigators, 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment

Easy access by air and roads, strategic location to East Coast, and economic growth on one hand and growing poverty on the other are the characteristics that have made Atlanta a hub for gang activities.

Atlanta is home to more than 50 gangs having nearly 2000 members. Although most are independent groups there is evidence that at least 10 of the national gangs are present in Atlanta.

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One afternoon in April 1999, all America gazed at televised news reports in total disbelief as the bodies of 12 students and one teacher were removed from Columbine High School, in Littleton, Colorado.

The names of Dylan Klebo and Eric Harris, the shooters in the incident, were forever etched in history for being the first juveniles to have killed that many students inside a school.

Two months later, T.J. Solomon opened fire with a 22-caliber weapon at Heritage High School in Conyers, Georgia with the intent of killing his classmates. He was later charged with 21 counts of assault for shooting 6 of his fellow students.

Emulating the Columbine Massacre, on April 4, 2005, Jeff Weise, 16, killed nine classmates at his high school in Minnesota.

Again, America watched in awe and asked, "How is this happening?"

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