KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Summer Gang Violence

With gang type robberies in the news lately, many are wondering if gang violence is currently on the rise.  Nearly 7 out of 10 U.S. adults say that gang violence is on the rise because of the current economic crisis.  The poll by New World Vision also shows 46 percent of adults believe that the main cause of gang violence is a lack of adult supervision and that happens more in the summer.  Experts say bored and lonely and summertime go hand to hand together.  When kids are lonely and feel like no one is watching them, they're easy prey for gangs.  Gangs give kids a feeling of acceptance, power and respect.  Parents need to counter-act that with attention and organization.  If parents find outlets for their kids like a local boys and girls club... a place they can be monitored when parents aren't around, their kids will be safer.  Keeping kids supervised will keep them safe from gangs.