Tracy Howard, a detective with the Hinesville Police Department, spoke at the Hinesville Rotary Club's weekly meeting on Jan. 15. He addressed street gangs in Hinesville. There are 36 active gangs within the city and there are more than 1,000 young people involved in gangs in Liberty County. The average age of when children start participating in gang-related activities is 11-13. Howard stressed the importance of having alternative programs for children to participate in so that they will feel accepted.