From Monday to Wednesday, about 750 law enforcement officials will attend seminars and lectures in Durham to learn more about combating gang activity in their communities.

The 2008 Gangs Across the Carolinas conference is being held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center. Law enforcement officials from both North and South Carolina will learn how to better identify gang members; they'll learn about resources available; and speakers will talk about strategies to successfully prosecute gang activity. 

Officials say they're focusing more of their time on rural communities at this year's conference. A recent report from the Governor's Crime Commission shows more gang-related activity took place in rural communities this year, compared to last year.

"One of the things that we have seen change in our rural county is social acceptance," said Surry County Sheriff Graham Atkinson. Surry County has a population of about 72,293 residents according to EPodunk.com.

"We're starting to see now, some of the graffiti pop up, and some of the activity's more organized," Atkinson said.

Speakers at the event said law enforcement has to focus on community-wide anti-gang efforts. Linda Hayes, from the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission said gang members are "running from something and every child wants to belong to something."

Hayes said community leaders have to provide programs that foster acceptance for young people. Captain Mark Bridgeman, the president of the North Carolina Gang Investigators Association said parents play a key role in their children's future.

"They all need to step up and say, we don't want you to emulate this. We don't want you to emulate gang-like behavior," Bridgeman said.