Right now police estimate that there are about 200 gang members in Garner.

Of those, 115 have been validated and 25 more are expected to be validated by the end of the year.

Garner Police discussed the problem and their commitment to working to prevent kids from becoming gang members with Aldermen at the Board's work session Tuesday night. 

The department is part of the Wake County Gang Prevention Task Force, they are sharing information with other agencies and are taking part in training to identify gang members.

The department also has a Gang Investigator on staff, who works to identify gang members and associates.

He is also working closely with the School Resource officer, other local law enforcement agencies and the Wake County Gang Prevention Task Force.

Known gangs in Garner include Bloods, Crips and the Latin Kings.

Police said there has been a large increase in Blood gang members at Garner Magnet High School this year.

At North Garner Middle School one student claims to be a GKB gang member and others are striving to become one.

Officers also said they have seen an increase in Hispanic gang presence in Garner.

From 2005 to 2008 at least six gang members form Garner have been arrested by outside law enforcement agencies for their involvement in different murders.

Officers said they're committed to prevention, intervention and the suppression of gangs.