Charlotte school system identifies 70 gangs

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte-Mecklenburg school officials say there are about 70 gangs operating in the county’s schools, with about 450 members.

The school district issued a report on Tuesday on what they say is the first comprehensive report on gangs in schools.

The Charlotte Observer reported that Superintendent Peter Gorman told the school board that it’s important not to underestimate the impact of gang activity in schools.

Board member Larry Gauvreau said the report identifies the gangs by name and members should be expelled.

The report said the gangs in Charlotte schools are not the kind of violent, organized “notorious” gangs in larger cities such as Los Angeles.

The report analyzed discipline records in the schools for five years, concluding gang activity has a relatively minor impact.

Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotte.com

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