Gangs in H-F: Epidemic or Exaggeration?

On Thursday, Patch published the police report of a fight from last Friday night, involving a large group of local youths.

Since then, commenters on Patch have expressed conflicting opinions. Some seem to think the town is going downhill fast. Others lean towards the "boys will be boys" mentality.

For example: 

• : typical of what is happening in Homewood.. there is an element moving in, and all the good families are moving out. I moved here to get away from this nonsense.. may be packing up again 
• : <<Police told the youths, whom they described as uncooperative, to return to their homes>> Arrest them for disorderly conduct and disobeying a lawful police order. Have a high bail set and let them spend a couple days in lockup. If there are no real consequences --seriously, a municipal ticket? -- this will only get worse..... 
• : I got in more trouble for a speeding ticket last month - having to go to the courthouse to fix a mistake on my license, pay $167 and take a traffic school class - and these kids get slapped on the wrist for domestic violence which should be a mandatory night in jail, a court hearing, court fees and supervsion (ETC.) and a whopping by their moms? Seriously. I agree with Juvenal. There was no punishment and no consequence. They'll be at it again by the weekend.
• : Can someone who saw the fight please identify the "gangs" fighting? Or was it a bunch of minority kids fighting and it was assumed they are gang members because they are minorities? Also to address the comments about arresting them spending time in jail, this is Cook County. A juvenile offender in Cook County needs to commit a major felony in order to be held in jail or have several violations. The county does not have the resources to detain juveniles for fights where there are no injuries. Call your Congressman on that but don't blame the Homewood police.
• : There are absolute, definate gang issues within the village of Homewood. These issues need to be addressed and taken very seriously by both the authorities and residents. I have reported within the last 2 years minimum 8 different occasions, known gun shot episodes. I see gang signs and colors all walking all over Homewood. Homewood is a well known opportune place for diversity, now lets add some integrity and make Homewood truly "Home Sweet Homewood" our safe village home.

What do you think? Are gangs encroaching on a beloved neighborhood, or are people overreacting to an isolated incident? What disciplinary action should have been taken against the kids?