The growing number of gangs is becoming a major problem across the state. But, city leaders and police are working hard in Union City to make sure the gangs don?t take over the city.

Most teenagers News 12 New Jersey spoke with said they knew someone in a gang. Police say this is why the Union City Police Department and the mayor?s office held a town hall meeting Wednesday to discuss ways to keep gangs out of the city.

?Right now, we don?t have a huge [gang population], but we?re so close to Jersey City and Newark. We don?t want an influx of these individuals coming into our towns [and] causing problems with our schools,? Lt. Emilo Gonzalez, of the Union City Police Department said.

Union City has a task force that deals with gangs and gang-related activities. The task force is responsible for removing all gang-related graffiti.