In an effort to control gangs that are growing in the area, there are a number of programs underway in the Triangle.

Some programs are funded by grants, others are experimental and if they prove effective they will be expanded.

Several experts said that although gangs in North Carolina are  not as entrenched as they are elsewhere, they still have a pretty good foothold.

“There are 14,500 known gang members in thus state -- that's a small city,” said Mark Bridgeman, the police captain in Fayetteville and the head of the North Carolina Gang Investigators Association.

He said that estimate is probably low because it only includes about 66 of the state's 100 counties.

Before gang members end up in court, new efforts are underway to keep kids from being drawn into gangs.

“If you want to talk about true prevention, we want to get to them before 15 years old," said Danya Perry, a gang prevention specialist with Communities In Schools.

“We actually have outreach workers in the neighborhoods -- that’s part of a pilot program,” said Communities In Schools President Linda Harrill.

The program offers kids alternatives to the gang family.

“Whether it's music, sports, or  karate or working on the computer; it's all opportunities for them to be part of something that's not negative,” Harrill said.

Experts said that when a kid is enticed from a gang, the program that he or she enters has to be as strong an influence as the gang was.

“We have to replace that nugget of the gang structure, so that when they leave the gang we have a place ready for them to jump into,” said Perry.

Gang members who are jailed eventually get released,  and experts said that they have to be dealt with as well.

“We need to provide services, necessary training, job skills, whatever it takes so that they don't become recidivists,” said Bridgeman.

He said that responsibility falls on the community.

He also said there is no one perfect way to attack the problem. Everything from prison ministries to recreational programs needs to be used to break the influence of gangs.

TALK BACK TO STEVE ON HIS BLOG AT: http://blogs.wncn.info/betweenthelines