State lawmakers are vowing to crack down on gangs and gang-related crime in northeastern Pennsylvania.
State Senator John Yudichak announced Monday morning he and others are pushing for new laws in Harrisburg to combat gang activity and give law enforcement the tools they need to get gangs off the streets.
The renewed push comes after a 13-year-old girl was assaulted last month in Hazleton by alleged gang members.
“Citizens and civic leaders are quickly learning that the gang problem is not contained to one city or one school, and they are learning that they cannot take on the battle alone,” Senator Yudichak said.
The superintendent of the Hazleton Area School District said he wants to start an anti-gang education program for the fifth, sixth and seventh grades and he is asking for money to put more police officers on campus.