HARRISBURG, Pa. — Harrisburg mayor Wanda Williams announced on Monday the formation of a City of Harrisburg Parent Task Force as part of her administration's response to the latest episodes of violence in the city centered around children.
The Task Force will consist of Williams, Harrisburg City Councilman and Public Safety Committee Chairman Ralph Rodriguez, Capt. Russell Winder, who oversees community policing within the Harrisburg Bureau of Police, and either Superintendent Eric Turman or Assistant Superintendent Dr. Marisol Craig of the Harrisburg School District.
The Task Force will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, November 29 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers, located at 10 N. 2nd Street. All successive meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of every month, beginning January 10.
Parents will have an outlet to meet and talk with city and school district officials in a safe environment to discuss concerns in their neighborhood, their block, and their homes.
The goal will be to foster a sense of community, get to the heart of family issues and work together to prevent violence in the city.
“So many of the issues we face in this city start within the walls of someone’s home. In some cases, families don’t even have that much,” Williams said in a press release. “We cannot parent from City Hall, but we can be a helping hand and a listening ear, and that is what I want to come out of this task force.”
On Oct. 29, three children – ages 13, 11 and 3 – were shot in the area of 18th and Regina Streets. Harrisburg Police took Mandjou Sylla, 20, into custody Thursday night, and have charged him with criminal attempt homicide.
At a press conference the next day, Williams said, “These were children who were just on the street playing. What will you do in the community to help us?”
Parents interested in participating in the task force are encouraged to sign up in advance and provide their name, number, email, and home address.