Clayton County investigators say children as young as 8 years old are joining gangs in the metro-area.

Police asked parents and residents to help stop gang recruitment, especially as summer approaches.

Channel 2’s Jessica Jaglois was on Tipton Drive where gang activity is visible.

“I’m disappointed that the gang violence is not gotten better,” Ruquais Wiley said.

Wiley said she works with at-risk youth in Clayton County and sees firsthand what the consequences of being in a gang look like.

“They got in these gangs, very young, started using drugs very young and now they want to get out and it's a vicious cycle,” she said.

That's because one of the only ways to get out of a gang once you're in, is violence, and even death.

According to investigators, there are 1,500 gang members in Clayton County and more than 75 gangs.

Officers said they are seeing an influx of national gangs in their community and adults looking to recruit children.

“Children are our most precious resource but they're also at risk,” Capt. Angelo Daniel said.

Police brought in the FBI and Clayton's gang task force Monday night to educate parents and neighbors about what they can do to help.

“if you come from a one-parent home, there's nothing wrong with getting your neighbor involved and that's what we've done in our community--all my neighbors look after each other's kids,”  resident Donna Huntley said.