Do Gangs around Ross Snyder affect students?

The park, Ross Snyder Recreation Center by 41st and Compton, is a hang out spot for many students at Animo Jefferson Middle School. Students see gang members all the time, so they do not see them as a threat. This affects the students because they feel like they wouldn’t be harmed, but these gang members could be harmful.

Jeremy Romo, recreation coordinator at Ross Snyder said, “I’ve seen that at this park in particular, gangs are super heavy.” He believes that gangs affect the students in a positive way because they protect them from bullies and they help keep the park safe so that nobody can hurt the students.

Jose Aleman, seventh grader at AJCMS disagrees. He said, “Every time I go to the park, I feel worried being around these gang members because I feel like they would want to take something from me or pressure me to do something bad.” He also said, “When I’m with my friends I feel different, I feel safe and comfortable.”

Many students from AJCMS hang out at Ross Snyder after school. The students that go alone to the park are most likely to feel endangered but when they are in groups they feel more relaxed and safe because they know its more likely for gang members to target individuals instead of bigger groups.