Anti-gang efforts expand in New Hanover County schools
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (StarNews) — As a teacher writes on a classroom whiteboard, a student scribbles gang symbols in the margins of his notes. In the shuffle between classes, a group of teenagers talk about a fight happening after school. When the dismissal bell rings, a girl gets into a car with people the school resource officer recognizes from old mugshots.
When a child is being pulled into gang activity, the signs are written all over her life. But school is the time when she has the most eyes on her — the biggest daily opportunity for someone to step in and help.
This year, New Hanover County Schools students will have four new people keeping tabs on their risk for gang involvement. Among 21 new sheriff’s office positions funded in this year’s county budget are two school-based gang detectives and two civilian “intervention specialists.” In concert with school staff, these officials will work with kids as young as elementary school-age.
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