Angelo Fernandez was on the verge of turning his life around for the better, but this changed when he decided to go to a Fresno discount store with his brother. As soon as Fernandez stepped into his brother’s car, four undercover police cars suddenly boxed them in, leaving nowhere to go. Frantically, Fernandez dashed out of the car and ran across the parking lot in an effort to escape. He heard no orders to stop.

Youth walking on Fresno’s west side still face safety risks. On Thursday, Sept. 22, 19-year-old Luis Pacheco was jumped by three individuals while walking in his neighborhood. His assailants hit him in the face and stole his bike, all in broad daylight with several onlookers.

Tagging can be an artistic outlet, but it can also lead to violence. This video examines the many sides of tagging and how it can get out of hand.

The sad and recent stabbing and death of 15-year-old Nicolas Quiroz has deepened the vicious connection between youth violence and tagging. As many young writers in The kNOw point out, this is a cycle that requires immediate help or else it could worsen.

This editorial represents the views of the young people in The kNOw and was written by one of the youth participants. When you first hear the word “gang,” fear is a common reaction. Thoughts of being jumped or dying run through your head. But to some, gangs are a sanctuary: A place where people will [...]