ATLANTA — Neighbors are concerned about a growing issue of teens fighting each other in one Southeast Atlanta neighborhood.
“It is a major problem out here, kids are not safe in this area,” Shiree Taylor told Channel 2’s Rachel Stockman.
Taylor’s 13-year-old daughter was recently injured during a fight near their home on Haygood Avenue and Hank Aaron Drive. Another teenager was arrested, according to police. Taylor says she has called 911 several times in the last few months, after her children were jumped.
On YouTube, there is video of two local girls fighting each other at a playground; the caption says they are in fifth and eighth grades. An elementary school boy can be seen watching the fight.
“If we don’t get on these teens right now and get a program for them to go to then we are going to lose somebody,” Grace Hamlin, a community advocate, said.
Atlanta police said they do have targeted patrols for problem areas but they have not received more calls about fighting specifically. They are urging people to call police if they see problems happening, especially if a child is getting hurt.
“These kids don’t have any guidance, they do what they see, and that is what they are told to do,” Hamlin said.
Neighbors said they believe the activity is gang-related, but police have not been able to confirm that.