However, in the winter of 1991, school administrators noticed a high number of female students complaining about other female students, citing fear of physical harm, harassment on the way home from school, escalating hostility, and threatening mannerisms exhibited at school. This activity culminated in a physical fight between two female students and the violence spilled over into the community when rival gangs began to threaten each other. The following day, school administrators implemented an emergency plan in which students were kept separate as much as possible and the combatants were placed on home study following their suspensions. The tension stemmed from the formation of a "dance group" whose members were required to undergo initiation rites including shoplifting, truancy, smoking, drinking, fighting, and having sex. School administrators, working with local police and parents, met with the girls involved to help mediate their hostilities. The school then formed a legitimate, after-school dance club in which girls from the various gang factions participated. Tensions at the school have been significantly reduced.