AKRON - Nearly 100 people attended Tuesday night's forum on gang awareness at Tippecanoe Valley High School.
Members of the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force spoke to those in attendance about how the task force started nearly 15 years ago.
Task force member and Indiana State Police Officer Lori Lemler spoke to the crowd about how gangs recruit.Lemler also said that it was common for gang members to attend such forums as Tuesday night's, as a way of gaining intelligence on law enforcement.
Boys and Girls Club of Kosciusko County Director and task force member Cindi Knepper gave an impassioned speech to the audience.
"I got involved because this is my home," said Knepper. "This matters to me."
Knepper described some of the problems kids who attend the Boys and Girls Club face.
"I've had kids who have turned in their parents for drug use," Knepper said.
Knepper also offered some advice to parents.
"Sometimes you gotta shut up and listen," Knepper said.
The task force discussed the behavioral changes that take place with kids when they join gangs.
They also advised those in the audience about how a kid's way of speaking or the way he dresses may change.
"You have to get in there and be involved," said Knepper.
Knepper said that parents should monitor Web sites like Myspace or Youtube.
"There was a big fight at Boggs and kids were taking pictures of it," said Knepper.
Cox advised the audience that gangs are constantly recruiting.
Cox told the story of a 13-year-old boy who recruits members for the the Surenos 13 gang.
"When he's in school, he's recruiting," said Cox. "When he's out of school, he's recruiting."
Cox told the audience that despite its rural location, members of Surenos 13 have attended TVHS.
After members of the task force spoke, Cox presented a power point talking about how gangs organize and what to look for.
There was a table of gang paraphernalia for audience members to browse.
Lemler was impressed by the turnout at Tuesday night's forum.
"This is a community that really cares," said Lemler.
For more information on gang prevention, call the Warsaw Police Department at 574-372-9511.
For more information on how to become involved with the Boys and Girls Club, call 574-268-1155.
