ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - A former Albany gang member who spent time in prison is hoping to use his experience to keep teens from making his same mistakes.

During a two-day intervention event held at the Alive Center in Albany, Travis Luke, focused on combating the rise in youth gang involvement in Georgia. The event brought together community leaders, former gang members, and law enforcement officials to discuss the importance of early intervention.

A recent survey from the Georgia Gang Investigators Association shows gang membership has surged by 80% and is now tied to 65% of all crimes across the state. That troubling trend led Governor Brian Kemp to launch the statewide Gang Prosecution Unit back in July 2022.

During the intervention event, Albany Police Chief Michael Presley took the opportunity to speak, highlighting a key issue.

Presley hypothesized, “Why does a child want to pick up a gun easily? Because that’s the cool thing to do. It’s profitable we make songs about it, we make movies about it, it’s the culture that we promote.”

He stressed that addressing this cultural influence is crucial in stopping young people from being drawn into gang life.

The event also featured speakers like Lisa Knox, who expressed hope that community organizations would continue offering support to at-risk youth. She emphasized that many young people simply need a place to turn for help before they fall into gangs.

Luke also shared his personal story at the event, offering insight into his own journey and the choices that led him out of gang life.

This intervention event aimed to create a collaborative network of support, helping young people make better choices and build brighter futures.

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