utica/oneida county gangs

utica/oneida county gangs

The participants are getting smaller.

There are more than three dozen gangs operating in oneida county right now.

And some of those involved....aren't even teenagers yet.

Newschannel 2's joleen ferris reports.

Sometimes when you see the biggest headlines, the smallest people are behind them .

None .

None 5:17 "they're probably 12, 13 years old " 5:27 "do you see young kids like that involved in gun violence or having guns?

Yes.

Yes" 3:18 "a lot of the shots fired are coming from these groups according to the mohawk valley crime analysis center, based out of the upd, there are 37 identified gangs within the city and oneida county 4:49 "l block is lennox ave, k block was kemble street.

The members are getting younger and younger 5:47 "it seems to be going to a younger group and the younger kids seem to be a little more careless, maybe not seeing the repercussions as much as the older kids do" 18:41 "we cannot deny that we have a problem with guns getting into the hands of young people" patrick johnson, of save our streets, knows these kids and knows they're savable and worth saving.

But it's a battle 19:40 "unfortunately there's a learned behavior that people are negotiating their conflict with guns" nat 37:11 "just amazing, picture of them all getting along lia savage holds her breath when she scrolls through the press releases on the utica police facebook page.

Too many times, she knows the kids.

Knows they're capable of better.

Those kids behind the headlines; she sees a different side of them and tries to capitalize on it.

She doesn't just want to lecture them about what they shouldn't do; she wants to show them what they can do 26:11 "they used to do scared straight but what i wish they would do is bring them to the prison yard, then show them a college yard" 26:40 "cuz they could see this is what these choices will lead to; this is what these choices will bring" while this disturbing and violent list grows.....so does the resolve of community advocates like johnson to give them a better option.

Jf, nc2.

> a detached garage and shop is leveled by fire in the outer