Youth gang problems are proliferating across the United States, even in small cities and towns. At the same time, the composition of youth gangs is changing; smaller, less structured gangs are emerging, and although drug trafficking is generally not an organized activity managed by gangs, drug gangs are more predominant now than in previous decades. The racial/ethnic composition of gangs is also changing, and gangs are becoming more organized. Gang violence, particularly homicide, has increased due mainly to the availability and use of more dangerous weapons, especially automatic and semiautomatic handguns. Most gang problems are "homegrown;" gang migration apparently contributes little to local gang problems. Although significant progress is being made in identifying the major risk factors for youth gang involvement, much more information is needed to specify the developmental sequence by which these risk factors operate. This knowledge will be useful in the development of prevention and intervention programs. A youth gang initiative that saw much success in cooperation with other programs n East Palo Alto resulted in it being called the murder capital of the world to a city now outside the top 20 in murder rates. After an extensive literature review this intervention program is proposed for use in Lowndes County and, more specifically, Valdosta State University as the center. Bringing the intervention program to a college campus provides an opportunity for all parties to understand the racial/ethnic composition of gangs and how to stop the major risk factors of youth joining gangs.