School system and county police officials will join with parents and community members in the Arundel and South River clusters later this week to discuss ways in which schools, police, and the public can combat the issue of gangs and violence.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, at the Waugh Chapel Town Center in Gambrills. Officer Brian Williams from the Western District of the Anne Arundel County Police Department will deliver a presentation on gang awareness. That will be followed by breakout groups for attendees to discuss collaborative efforts for keeping parents informed and students safe.

"The safety of our children is the shared responsibility of schools, parents, police, and the community at large," schools Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell said. "In order to continue to help keep our communities, which include our schools, safe, we must bring concerned people with diverse backgrounds and important expertise together."

Due to space constraints, the meeting will include 10 parents and/or community representatives from each of the 22 schools in the Arundel and South River clusters.