NEW PROGRAM AIMS TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO REPORT GANG, DRUG ACTIVITY IN SCHOOLS

POWDER SPRINGS - City police officials say they plan to heavily promote a
program to stop gang activity and drug and alcohol use in schools.

Powder Springs Police officer Erika Bailey said Students Against Violent
Encounters' two-year stint hasn't reached its full potential.

SAVE is a program that honors students who report gang activity and drug
and alcohol use on school campuses.

"It's a proactive approach to eliminate violence in our schools," Ms.
Bailey said. "We're committed to keeping schools safe."

Students are nominated by parents, teachers or their peers, and can be
recognized either at school or at home.

In dangerous criminal cases, students who report violent crimes or gang
activity are honored privately, she said.

"They obviously don't want people to know about it," Ms. Bailey said.

But the scope of SAVE goes much further than that, Powder Springs Police
Chief Rick Richardson said.

For example, a child who was hit by a car last year was honored for obeying
bicycle laws when the department found out he was wearing a helmet. Police
said he likely would not have survived had he not worn his helmet.

However, the focus is on violent activities, and while Richardson said gang
activity isn't "prevalent" in Powder Springs, he has seen signs of it.

"We've seen (gang activity) for a couple of years - probably longer than
that," Richardson said. "It's the same thing happening throughout Cobb County."

But Ms. Bailey said gangs are operating everywhere, not just at the middle
and high schools.

"I've seen (gangs) in the neighborhoods, city trails and through crimes at
schools," she said.

Instead of hoping for the best, the department teamed up with local fire
prevention, which helps fund the program, and schools to give SAVE a boost.

The program is also funded by donations from civic groups.

"As far as its intentions, it's been very successful," Richardson said.

Bailey agreed on the success of the program, but said it has had a slow start.

"But it's got a lot of potential," she said. "I foresee it being a very
active and progressive program."

Students who are honored by SAVE receive T-shirts, medals or gift
certificates as a reward, she said.

Bailey said the program reiterates Chief Rick Richardson's mantra that
responsible youths will be responsible adults.