Amid statewide crisis, '40 to 50 percent' of people in Chatham County youth detention have gang ties

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Results from a recent survey by the Georgia Gang Investigators Association declared a 'gang crisis' in the state.

One-hundred fifty-five of the 159 counties in Georgia reported gang activity. The survey placed Chatham County in the top 10 to 20 percent with 34 active gangs and 876 active gang members reported.

Part 1 of this WTOC investigation:

The survey found kids in Georgia are getting involved in gang activity as young as 10-years-old. Law enforcement in Savannah said it's not the presence of gangs that's a problem, but the criminal activity coming out of them, which is often deadly.

Michelle and Joseph Pastures' son, James Pastures, was the first homicide victim in 2015.

"James was a part of a gang. We're not proud of it. We're not ashamed of it. Just because he made bad decisions, doesn't mean he was a bad person," Michelle Pastures said. "That's a day we'll never forget. My husband had just passed him coming home. He saw him, waved to him, talked to him. About 30 minutes later we got the phone call saying that James had been shot."

James Pastures was in his early 30s, but his parents don't know how young their son joined a gang.

"He didn't show any signs. We didn't really know until he was murdered that he was a part of a gang," his mother said.

Following his son's murder, Joseph Pastures said he's much more aware and recognizes the signs of gang activity.

"I know they were under 18. Two young guys walking in a neighborhood with the little red flags in their pocket. One of them was too scared to look at me. The other looked at me, but then looked away. The first one was just so scared," he said.

Capt. Bobby Irvin with the Chatham County Sheriff's Office sees gang activity in youth first-hand, and said they are proud of their criminal activity in gangs as they go in and out of the system through the years.

"The Youth Detention Center, Juvenile, they're claiming to be gang members from that point on. They already have gang tattoos," Irvin said. "They'll have their birthday and come over here to the jail, when they're old enough, and they'll brag about it."

A high percentage of people in the detention center are part of a gang.

"At least 40 to 50 percent of everybody in here has some sort of a gang relation," Irvin said.

He said it's not uncommon for gang members taken off the street to join a new gang inside the Detention Center, as gang affiliation in jail gives many inmates a sense of protection.

WTOC asked Irvin how common it is to see gang activity such as writing, graffiti, or any markings on their clothing.

"You'll see gang writings just about daily. You'll see it on their paperwork. They'll pass notes back and forth. Throw up gang signs. They'll visually claim it," he replied.

"It makes them less of a target for any kind of actions against them," said Irvin.

A peace poll now stands in the Pastures' yard in their son's memory. As they wait for justice, they want the poll to be a reminder to all youth of the consequences of gang violence.

"With justice comes peace," Michelle Pastures said. "We love you. We miss you. Not a day goes by without us thinking about you."

The trial for James Pastures is scheduled for October.