On October 20, 2007 some students at one of our local high schools had a party. The parents were out of town. Several uninvited teenagers from Clayton County crashed the party to confront one of the Fayette students. As the Clayton County teens left in a pickup truck they fired three shots into the air.

On November 24, 2007 some young adults and teenagers from Fulton and Clayton Counties rented a dance studio in Fayetteville for a “Sweet Sixteen” party. There was a $5.00 cover charge to attend. About 20 men arrived and refused to pay the cover charge. They started beating on the windows of the studio. Police arrived and made them leave. As they left, they fired a gun. Police found 4 shell casings from a .380 handgun and recovered a projectile from a stucco wall.

On January 27, 2008 a Fairburn mother rented a spot in Fayetteville to host a party for her daughter. Rival gang members from Creekside High squared off to fight and one pulled a pistol from his pants and fired a .40 caliber bullet into the air. Police arrived to find over 100 teens still at the party.

Around December of 2007 there was a “Sweet Sixteen” party at a North Fayette residence. It had been advertised on “My Space”. Over 150 people were there. Deputies heard gunshots, but were unable to locate the shooter.

Major Kevin Gooding of the Fayetteville Police has worked aggressively with the owners of the facilities that rent space for such parties. The police are insisting that they require proper adult supervision and police security for these events. You, as parents, can also help.

Know where your kids are going. Forbid them from going to parties that start late at night. Be wary of parties that are advertised on the internet. If there is a cover charge, be suspicious that there may be alcohol at the party. And know this: kids bring guns to some of these gatherings and are willing to shoot them. Disorderly and dangerous people will be arrested and prosecuted.

I just thought you needed to know.