YAKIMA --- Being the parent of a teen in this day and age presents a maze of challenges. You want to know who their with, where they go, and what they do, when your eyes are not on them. In a special report, Action News finds out what trouble teens are getting into, and if the programs available for them are enough to keep them safe.

Every week in Yakima, another teen is making headlines for making a bad decision. The latest involved a 19-year old charged with firing into the crowd at a Halloween party, killing one man. Even in the places where the under 21 crowd is supposed to be safe, crowds can get crazy. These two fights happened on different nights outside the same Yakima teen club, The Jade Room. Police were actually called to 4 separate fights there in the last year.

But the bigger problem and greater concern for parents should be private parties, where drugs and alcohol are plentiful and anything can happen. They're being hosted by all ages, but police say they see at least one or two teen party complaints a weekend. Parents are almost always out of town in those cases. "People that are good neighbors will let other neighbors know when they're going to be leaving teenagers by themselves," Yakima police captain, Greg Copeland said.

"There's nothing around here for kids to be doing, and I think that's what's contributing to all the trouble that kids have been getting in lately," Yakima teen, Trevor Vuchholtz thought. We started compiling a list of teen friendly places in Yakima and there are quite a few. There's skate parks, the Meadowbrook Family Family Fun Center, ice skating, roller skating, the mall. At the Yakima Police Athletic League, kids learn a more positive form of fighting. There are also special events certain weekends, like swing dancing at the Terrace Heights Civic Center, or YMCA teen events every Friday and Saturday. But is this enough? "I think it's limited, we just sit at home being bored," 17-year-old Jose Desantos replied. "I think it's very important to keep them busy, to keep them out of gangs or from doing drugs or just playing video games," his mother, Cecilias Desantos said, hoping to find options for her son.

We asked the city what's ahead for teen centers. "The discussion has begun with regards to the expansion of the YPAL center," Yakima city mayor Dave Edler started, "We realize that the program is a popular program, a good program that's been effective, but we're limited in space." "I think there's enough here. I don't think people should be complaining. I think they should come here," 16-years-old Isabella Bena said, pointing to the YPAL center boxing behind her. In the meantime, teens are still finding their niche. "The adrenaline rush is pretty exciting, and it's a challenge," 18-years-old Angel Castro smiled as other skate boarders slid down ramps near him. "It gets you out of trouble and you make friends," 15-years-old Edith Albaran said after taking off her boxing gloves. Best of all, it keep kids free from having to make bad decisions.

Talk to police, educators and city leaders. All agree, the single most important thing you can do to protect your teens from making bad choices is getting them involved in organized activities.