Police in Lancaster are patrolling the city, searching for their 20th gun-related arrest. So far this year, they’ve made 19 arrests for firearms related charges…that’s more than last year’s overall total. Police say a majority of the gun crime comes from convicted felons or minors.
Karen Schloer is the CEO of Boy’s and Girl’s Club, of Lancaster. She says, “I don’t enjoy going to funerals and seeing kids mourning their peers.”
Schloer says crimes among youth are a real problem. Every day, she welcomes kids ages 6-18 to her organization. But outside, Karen can’t prevent crimes from happening. Lancaster City Police say there’s a significant number of gun-related crime this year.
Lt. Todd Umstead says, "In three months, we've arrest 19 people and charged them with firearms offenses, that's one more than all of 2014."
Lt. Umstead says three of the arrests are connected to homicides. "It also shows you how many people out there are illegally possessing guns, at least six, were stolen, 2 had serial numbers filed off."
And because of police pro-activity, Lt. Umstead expects more arrests. He says, "That number will grow because our officers will keep going out there and find number 20 soon, out there patrolling and if somebody's out there with illegal guns, our message is you'll get caught and these are serious charges, felonies, and carry jail time."
Between police on the streets and positive mentors like Schloer, there's still hope.
Schloer says, "It takes a village to raise a child. It really takes all of us to come together and have an authentic conversation and include our youth, we have awesome kids that come through our doors on a daily basis."
Police are continuing to investigate several shooting incidents.
