When it comes to gangs, officials in the Valley say even a small presence is a big problem.

Diane Kellogg, from the Central Shenandoah Office on Youth, has been one of the driving forces behind the SAW 2010 coalition to combat gang violence in the Valley.

Kellogg says, "We want to make sure that we are pointing our resources in the direction that will do the most good, meaning decrease crime the most."

She will soon be getting some help from police chiefs, delegates, congressman, school superintendents and others. They're all joining the fight as part of a new comprehensive gang model that hopes to curb gang violence in the Valley.

The goal is to collect data that will explain what the problem is, who's causing it, and when and where they're causing it.

Kellogg says, "Once we have that all defined, we'll know how to treat the problem."

Staunton school administrators are working with the committee.

Staunton Schools Assistant Superintendent Dori Walk says, "I think we do have a problem. We do have youth that are looking for something and often the gang is what they find."

Walk says school systems in the area will be a vital part of the model's success.

Walk says, "I think we're very important because generally we see these kids everyday. They're in our buildings."

Kellogg adds, "We're going to need all kinds of school data. We're going to need truancies, we are going to need to know disruptive behaviors, who's causing it? When are they causing it?"

Among a growing list of members are police chiefs from Staunton and Waynesboro, the Augusta County Sheriff, members of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, and Del. Chris Saxman. State Sen. Emmett Hanger may soon also be on the list of members.