"On July 30, 1998 the whole community of Socorro joined together to help stop drug dealing, fighting and drive-by shootings between two rival gangs.

"It all started at one particular corner, the place where the two gangs hung out. "Bagley" and "Grant Street" are the name of the gangs. They always hung out at the same corner. It was at this place where the two gangs graffitied, where they held the drug deals, and the wild parties. July was when they had the first drive-by shooting.

"Bagley has been in Socorro longer than most gangs have been in Socorro. Bagley and Grant Street 'crossed' each other. This is what began the hatred for each other. The hatred they had all because of that one corner...the corner where they had the first drive-by. It was that corner where they did not want to share their streets any more.

"That is what caused our mayor, Dr. Bhasker, to decide to bring the two rival gangs together. Dr. Bhasker wanted the gangs to try to talk over the situation instead of getting in a fight with each other. The mayor gave the community and the gang members free food just for being there. Unfortunately, the meeting with the gang members really did not work out. First off, not all the gang members went to the town meeting. Second of all, the next night was the town's annual San Miguel Fiesta. During the three nights that the Fiesta was in Socorro there were fights. There were around 5-7 fights each night that were gang-related. As a member at that time of Bagley, I saw so many fights that weekend, all of which were gang-related. But some gang members were being arrested for no apparent reason.

"In my opinion, there was no reason to fight about that particular corner...if only they could have shared it and gotten along. I also think they could at least have worked out their differences during the community meeting but they failed to do so. Gang members could only think of the hatred they had toward each other for the corner.

"I think that this community meeting was a good idea. I think it probably could of have worked if Dr. Bhasker had held the meeting a lot sooner. I think it would have helped because, back then, gangs in Socorro were not as bad as they are now. Back then, they should not have fought for things like the corner. I think the community should care because this is their community and the people do not want gangs to take over this community.

"In Socorro, people like their town. They want to raise their children there because it should be a safe and quiet town. If the gangs in Socorro keep on getting worse by the day then Socorro will not be much of a community. I think that if the community really wants to put a stop to the gang problem, then I think they should start now. First, it was a drive-by. What could happen next?

"Socorro has actually been very lucky because this is the worst it has gotten since the two gangs have been there. I think that negotiating between the town and the gang members is a very good idea. Unfortunately, gang members do not. I really do not think that there is anything we can do, but tell the gang members that negotiating is the right thing to do. In order for them to do what is right, they have to WANT to do it also. They have to WANT to talk about it in front of the community. Most gang members today are so confused that they think killing or having drive-by shootings is the only way to go.

"In conclusion, I think if gangs in Socorro will not work with the community, they will eventually get worse and will not work with each other in a town that small. If gang members do not start working with their community, instead of threatening them, then there will not be much of a community left. Gang members need to know that their town DOES care for them and does not want them to end up in jail ... or worse...probably ending up dead just because a person is wearing a certain color or...like in Socorro just because of a street corner.

"We the people of a community need to show the gang members that we care and that we do not want them to end up dead in some alley or even put in jail for the rest of their life. Most of the gang members think that the community does not care enough about them, which, in some cases, is true. I am sure that most of us have a little compassion for the gang members. Even if it does not show on the surface.

"I know. I have compassion for them... I was once one of them. Maybe someday, gang members will realize that when the community is setting up meetings it means they are not only doing it for the safety of themselves, but for the safety of the gang members. Maybe some day, gang members will realize the consequences of what they are doing wrong, and will take responsibility for their actions. Just maybe they may work things out for themselves and the community around them. If they do so, gang members can spend their time without the problems they've so far caused in their everyday lives."