ASK JACKSON

With the Jackson police recently starting a gang resistance education program in the city's public schools, the Southeast Missourian asked people what they thought was the best way to keep children from getting involved with gangs.

Travis Taylor: "Make them feel they are cared about. They usually don't go into gangs unless they feel abandoned or if they feel they have nowhere else to go."

Jim Burnett: "Education would help. Maybe if they know more about gangs and what they are about, they won't get involved."

Mindy Myers: "The parents should support their children in getting involved in sports and school activities."

Jason St. John: "They should be encouraged to get involved in extracurricular activities. They would have to make the grades so they wouldn't feel like they were a failure and start doing that stuff."

Tara Freeman: "Parents are role models. They should encourage their kids to be the best they can be, and be involved in their children's lives."