If you are a parent in Harford County, and your child has gotten wrapped up in a local gang, you may not want to look to Harford County for help.
“I?m referring people to Baltimore County, Baltimore City,” said Cpl. Tom Gamble, of the Harford County Sheriff?s Office Gang Suppression Unit, at a recent gang awareness meeting in Harford.
He said little help is available in Harfordfor those who need it.
Unfortunately, Harford?s problems will have to get worse before the matter is resolved.
“I think it is going to get worse before it gets better. I just hope it doesn?t get too worse,” said Don Mathis, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County.
Having worked with troubled youth in the Los Angeles area, especially those involved with gangs, Mathis said Harford?s gang problems are still in the infancy stages, but he expects them to get worse.
“I don?t think that we have reached the tipping point yet, but it may not be long before we have to create a tattoo removal program,” Mathis said Friday.
“Unfortunately, there are not enough resources,” said Joseph V. Ryan, executive director for Harford?s Office of Drug Control Policy, when asked why the county had no programs for those struggling with gang involvement.
The state Department of Juvenile Services helps kids and families who wish to avoid gangs, but only after an arrest is made.
“We will work with each child individually, help them to move to another facility … give them what they need, but we can only intervene after a child is arrested,” said Edward Hopkins, spokesman for the Department of Juvenile Services.
Gang prevention programs
» Mayor?s Office of Children, Youth and Families: 410-396-4274
» Operation Safe Kids: 410-396-1343
» Baltimore City Police Community Relations: 410-396-2342
