The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department has forwarded charges related to a West Willow “fight club” to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office, though those monitoring the situation say some fights still continue.

Lt. Jim Anuszkiewicz said the department has forwarded charges of assault and battery, disorderly conduct and resisting and obstructing arrest, which were all related to investigations into the fights.

West Willow resident Angela Barbash patrols the neighborhood last year in an effort to help out the authorities.

AnnArbor.com file photo

Videos of what appeared to be organized fights in the neighborhood surfaced on Youtube in July.

Police officials first reported about 80 teens gathered for the fights, which were lasting for more than 15 minutes and were mostly between girls. Deputies said there appeared to be scheduled fights at a predetermined location and time. The fights mostly occurred during the afternoon.

The videos showed three to four fights during each 15 minute session, and the youths appear to be willing participants. Because the people fighting were doing so voluntarily, no victims have come forward, officials said.

Police officials also previously said some of the youths’ parents were involved and suspected there was gambling on the fights.

“We have been able to identify some of individuals involved, we are tracking these individuals, and there are more potential charges that could come up,” Anuszkiewicz said. “And it doens’t mean that we’re only targeting individuals who are fighting.”

The New West Willow Neighborhood Association has been working with the Sheriff’s Department to help identify those involved, and representatives from it and Anuszkiewicz said the last fight occurred several weeks ago.

Anuszkiewicz said people had dispersed by the time deputies arrived at the scene, and no fight videos have surfaced on Youtube in recent months, though neighbors report seeing kids recording the fights.

The groups gathering for the fights have been a little smaller than over the summer, Anuszkiewicz said, and he and the neighborhood association representatives both say they have identified a small group of girls who appear to be the only ones continuing to fight.

The Sheriff's Department Street Outreach Team has tried to engage the girls and settle the dispute through mediation, and some of the girls have been responsive to their efforts.

Additionally, Claudia Small, who is involved with the NWWNA, said the group is trying to develop more programs and recreational options for neighborhood kids. The bus stops running to West Willow around 7 p.m., Small said, and many of the activities kids would be interested in are too far away.

Small has been working with junior high kids and the Girls on the Run program, which is designed to help build character and self-confidence through a number of programs and activities. She said the younger girls she works with aren't at all involved with the fights or interested in getting involved.

"It’s encouraging to know that the younger girls look and see that this is bad behavior," she said.