Juveniles with gang ties try to enroll at PHS

By Jennifer McBride / Leader Staff

POLSON — On May 8, three juveniles later discovered to have ties to gang activity in Spokane tried to enroll in Polson High School, according to a joint press release issued by the Lake County Sheriff's Department and the Polson Police Department. They may have been looking for new members, said Barbara Monaco, chief juvenile probation officer of the 20th judicial district youth court services.

"I spoke with their probation officer and he thought there was a strong possibility that they were over here looking to recruit or contact other individuals," she said.

All three juveniles, she said, had "very strong gang affilations" and will be held in dentention when they return to Spokane. According to the joint press release, one juvenile had a felony warrant for arrest, one had a misdemeanor warrant for arrest and all three had been listed as missing persons.

The young men raised the school's suspicions when they attempted to register for school without a parent or guardian, Monaco explained. A parent/guardian must be present for enrollment, according to Montana state law.

"It just raised red flags," she said. The three students were wearing gang colors and, when interviewed by police, reportedly calimed to be gang members.

"It's a good indication that we need to keep our ears and our eyes open," Monaco said.

Local law enforcement agencies recently invited Christopher Grant, an expert in street gang activity, to study gang activity in Lake County. He will hold a conference about his findings May 23 at 10 a.m. in the Lefthand building of the tribal complex in Pablo.

Polson Police chief Doug Chase said the incident proved that schools, even in small towns, need to be aware of potential gang problems.

"This really highlights the importance of the schools in stopping gang activity," PPD chief Doug Chase said.