Dangers and consequences of gang activity

TUNKHANNOCK, WYOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The dangers and consequences of gang activity was the topic of discussion of Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters and United States Attorney Jerry Karam on Monday.

They hosted a program for students at Tunkhannock Area High School to highlight the issue.

Peters says there is a multi-pronged approach to the problem.

The first is enforcement and dealing aggressively with any conduct, even that which ‘mimics’ gang activity before it becomes a major situation like the gang problem being experienced in neighboring communities like Scranton.

Second is awareness and education and along with that are positive extracurricular activities and groups.

“We have the obligation to help them belong to something positive. This school district does all kinds of things that give them those positive outlets. Our job in law enforcement is to come down on them if they choose otherwise. So belong to something good, not something nefarious,” Peters explained.

“I learned that these gangs aren’t really what they’re supposed to be. They tell you that they’re there for you, that you’re family and then they’ll just leave you out to die if you do something that they don’t like. Stay out of them! Have a good life. Go down the right path,” said student Lucas Ciprich.

This program is being presented as the next phase of continuing cooperation between Peters, the Tunkhannock Area School District, and federal, state, and local law enforcement.

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