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By KEVIN OWEN KEARNEY
WILKES-BARRE – Law enforcement officials say children as young as 9 might be targeted locally by big city gang members as potential recruits.
“The age range is between 9 and 26,” Sgt. Jeff Henry of the State Correctional Institution at Dallas told a gathering of about 30 people during the county Crime Watch Coalition meeting Thursday night.
“It’s very alarming,” said Clarence Hogan of Harveys Lake.
Henry and corrections officer Larry Pudlosky, also from the prison, gave a presentation about how gang activity in the area is on the rise. In their free time, the men hit the streets and talk to youngsters about gangs.
Area police chiefs have said the Bloods and the Crips have established their gangs in the Wyoming Valley. A third group, the Latin Kings, also has been mentioned by local authorities.
Hogan and his wife, Marsha, have a 15-year-old grandson whom they speak to about crime and gangs.
“You just tell them what’s going on and what they shouldn’t get involved in,” Hogan said, adding he believes parents should be active in their child’s life.
Pudlosky said gangs use children for the “dirty work” of selling drugs.
“(Some) kids eat this up. They love it,” Pudlosky said, noting that boys might be attracted to gangs by the money, girls and tattoos. “What they don’t see is the prisons and the death.”
Pudlosky said gang members will come to Luzerne County for a short time, then leave. But while they’re here, they try to recruit, he said.
June Camera of Plymouth, who has a 7-year-old grandson, said her greatest fear is for the children. “It’s scary because kids can be so impressionable.”
Members of the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office are also concerned and are looking in to establishing a gang task force, according to District Attorney David Lupas.
“I personally think it’s a good idea,” said Detective Charles Balogh, a crime prevention specialist in the District Attorney’s Office.
Henry urged neighborhood watch groups to be vigilant and careful. He said not to approach a group that is congregating at night, but check the area the following day for graffiti or other evidence that might point to gang activity.