The coroner, who has been studying gangs in Arkansas and across the country for more than five years, told a joint meeting of the Little Rock Board of Directors and the Little Rock School Board that 45 to 100 neighborhood gangs have been identified in Pulaski County. Many are loosely affiliated with groups such as the Bloods or Crips that started in Los Angeles, or the People Nation or Folk Nation from Chicago, Nawojczyk said.
Violence occurs because of the rivalries among the groups, which say they want respect.
Gangs retaliate when individual members or a gang itself has been shown disrespect, he said. The community must present a united front in efforts to reduce gang violence, the coroner said. They may turn to gangs for the identity and support they could get from sports. Don't concentrate on stereotypes. Tolerate no misbehavior by gang members or others in schools.