06/29/08 — CONNEAUT LAKE — It’s a far cry from the mean streets of inner-city Los Angeles, but a group of young people in Conneaut Lake is apparently calling itself the Crips.
Conneaut Lake Regional Police Department has been receiving reports about the “gang,” reportedly identifying itself as the “814 High Rollin’ Crips,” since around the end of the recent school year, according to department Sgt. Greg Nichols.
He said the group’s most outright activity was the recent spray-painting of numerous downtown businesses with gang insignia and profanities. “We haven’t come into contact with them,” and “we haven’t seen any (of the common blue) gang-related colors,” Nichols said, but “we’ve received several phone calls” about the group’s alleged activities.
Borough resident and parent Mark Damratoski said his 11-year-old son and numerous other kids and adults have been physically threatened by members of the group.
In response, Damratoski is hosting a public meeting Wednesday to discuss the “gang” and ways the community may best react to the recent activities. The meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Pizza Hut, 240 Water St.
“We figure if we can get an organization together, we’ll have an entire community standing behind” the effort to stop the group’s activities before they escalate beyond threats, he said. “Even though they’re not real Crips, they’re taking this very seriously,” he added.
Nichols said the department plans to have an officer in attendance at the meeting, and said anyone with information about the group and its activities should call the department at 382-4364.
The Crips reportedly first appeared as a street gang in Los Angeles around the late 1960s. The group have been most known for a bitter and often-violent rivalry with another urban gang, the Bloods.
YOU CAN GO
A public meeting to discuss recent alleged “gang” activity in Conneaut Lake is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Pizza Hut, 240 Water St., Conneaut Lake.
Local News
Conneaut Lake becoming ‘gang’ territory?
- Local News
-
-
City leaders not concerned after financial downgrade
During the past five years, Moody’s Investors Service has assigned three different ratings — all within the range of “upper medium grade” to the City of Meadville’s bonds. In 2007, the city was given a rating of A3, the lowest of the trio. In 2010, the city’s bond rating was raised to A1, the highest ranking in the “upper medium” category. Monday, Moody’s gave the city’s $10,000,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2012, which went on the market Monday, the middle rating of A2.
-
Elderly, disabled and their caregivers have tremendous new local resource
The new Crawford County Link isn’t a place, but an information network to help people age 60 and older or those between 18 and 59 with disabilities stay living independently.
-
County's median age rising as population still stable
Crawford Countians are growing older and aging in place.
-
Crawford Central yearlong pay freeze plan fails
Differences over details have derailed a contract featuring a one-year pay freeze for Crawford Central School district teachers, leaving district administrators looking for ways to close an unexpectedly large 2012-13 budget gap.
-
Saegertown singer has date with CMT
A Saegertown man will appear on the Country Music Television (CMT) show “Singing Bee” on June 1 at 8 and 11 p.m.
-
Court ruling means county politicking can continue
A proposed resolution to limit Crawford County employees from serving as a chair or vice chair of a political party can’t be enacted because of a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling in a Montgomery County case.
-
Officials: Rape suspect kills himself before trial
A Crawford County jail inmate died at an Erie hospital early Saturday morning in the wake of an apparent suicide attempt, according to county officials.
-
Cambridge radio station offers soundtrack of local music scene
Lately, “I’ve been having a heavy-duty highlight on local artists every other hour,” Sam Reese said as he sat at the controls of WXCS 92.9 recently, queuing up the current block of tunes lined up for play.
- NEW LOCAL: Crawford County jail inmate dies at Erie hospital
- NEW LOCAL: Fire destroys Cambridge Springs area barn and dairy herd
- More Local News Headlines
-
City leaders not concerned after financial downgrade
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Remains of Veterans Found in Basement Are Buried
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Houston Museum Unveils $85 Million Dinosaur Hall
