At his weekly press conference, Erie Mayor Joe Schember presented an update on ongoing crime prevention programs in the city, including the Police Athletic League and Unified Erie.
Police Chief Dan Spizarny reported there’s been a sharp uptick of shots fired and gun injuries. He told TalkErie News that the increased use of guns indicates greater gang activity.
“It’s the presence of gangs. They go out to assert their authority or control over an area. They commit violent acts and another group retaliates. It begins a cycle that we have to stop,” said Spizarny.
Mayor Schember said that the uptick in violence is “unacceptable,” adding “our community is better than this.”
