Teens, Gangs, and Guns

When you talk to people on the street they say gangs are a problem in their neighborhood.

Chattanooga Police tell us, they are seeing the members get younger and younger everyday.

Just like any fourth of July, a group of children is light firecrackers in the street however, surrounding them, are symbols of a growing problem.

Gangs, mark their territory on the sidewalks, walls and homes of Chattanooga neighborhoods.

"We have gangs in Hamilton County I mean they are here. we cant stick our head in the sand and deny their existance," says Richard Shockley, Chief Deputy of the Hamilton County Jail.

As police put gang members in jail, Shockley says the county is implementing new programs aimed toward county schools.

One program called GREAT, which will train teachers to deal with gang counseling for students.

Students like Roger Hilley who says he faces gang violence everyday.

"People always ask me to do that, like the crips I face that everyday. In my family I have family members in gangs and they try to get me into that too but I don't do it," says Roger Hilley.

However where there are gangs, guns follow.

We spoke to Agent Daryl Hill who says this past year, they recovered three guns from Hamilton County Schools.

"We aren't seeing it as an emergent trend but to answer your question if a kid wanted a gun they can get a gun," says Agent Daryl Hill.

"I'm telling these kids gangs are a no win situation for them, I've never known an old gangster out on the street because they are either dead or in jail," says Hilley.

The ATF also says the way teens are getting these guns are also through their parents or committing other crimes.

The ATF has a prevention program in place but are continuing to work with the school system to prevent guns from getting there.