Teachers, law enforcement officers and other people who work with area teens focused Thursday on gang violence.
The room at Marywood University was packed. More than 100 people gathered to hear St. Joseph's University professor and former Allentown Police Officer Ed Bachert. He dedicates much of his time to studying gang trends in America.
"I think there's a tremendous migration of gangs from the larger cities coming to cities this size, setting up drug shops, making profits off drugs coming out of New York, Philadelphia," Bachert said.
Counselor Angel Rogalinski works with students in the Poconos, and is learning about verbal and non-verbal ways to recognize gang involvement.
"I want to learn as much as I can, how to recognize signs, help advocate for students who really need some back-up in the schools," Rogalinski said.
Scranton Police Chief David Elliot said crimes like a recent homicide show there is serious gang activity in this area. Three Scranton High School students were arrested and charged with the gang-related murder of Allen Fernandez. Police said the three students are associated with the "Bloods" street gang.
"They're becoming so sophisticated, they're becoming updated with technologies. They're trying to stay one step ahead of us, so we have a long fight ahead of us," said Chief Elliot.
He added more gang awareness training for officers and teachers is planned for later this month.
The room at Marywood University was packed. More than 100 people gathered to hear St. Joseph's University professor and former Allentown Police Officer Ed Bachert. He dedicates much of his time to studying gang trends in America.
"I think there's a tremendous migration of gangs from the larger cities coming to cities this size, setting up drug shops, making profits off drugs coming out of New York, Philadelphia," Bachert said.
Counselor Angel Rogalinski works with students in the Poconos, and is learning about verbal and non-verbal ways to recognize gang involvement.
"I want to learn as much as I can, how to recognize signs, help advocate for students who really need some back-up in the schools," Rogalinski said.
Scranton Police Chief David Elliot said crimes like a recent homicide show there is serious gang activity in this area. Three Scranton High School students were arrested and charged with the gang-related murder of Allen Fernandez. Police said the three students are associated with the "Bloods" street gang.
"They're becoming so sophisticated, they're becoming updated with technologies. They're trying to stay one step ahead of us, so we have a long fight ahead of us," said Chief Elliot.
He added more gang awareness training for officers and teachers is planned for later this month.
