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<p>HARRISBURG &#8212; The United States Attorney&#8217;s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced on Wednesday a &#8220;renewed strategy&#8221; for reducing and preventing violent crime in select cities.</p><p>Those cities include Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, York and Harrisburg.</p><p>According to a news release, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies will join forces to coordinate activities in high-crime areas.</p><p>Specifically, the strategy will target gun offenses, gang activity, drug-related crime and other acts of violence.</p><p>Peter Smith, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, said &#8220;it seemed very clear there is very serious crimes&#8221; in the cities.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not the same problem in each place, but it is a variation all the same,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Smith admitted the plan has waned in the past due to a number of different factors, including staff and budgeting. In the past year, he said his office has taken a close look at the policies and has decided to &#8220;reinvigorate them.&#8221;</p><p>The strategy consists of four key components:</p><p>&#8226; Identify communities most in need of anti-violence solutions</p><p>&#8226; Target high-priority offenders in those communities for aggressive prosecution</p><p>&#8226; Conduct regular meetings of federal and local law enforcement officials to collect data on local violent crime trends, share intelligence, screen cases for potential federal prosecution and coordinate joint enforcement activities</p><p>&#8226; Expand existing prevention and post-conviction reentry programs</p><p>According to a new release, federal, state and local officials started a pilot program in Harrisburg that focused on firearms offenses, including those involving drug or violent offenses. The success of that program prompted officials to expand it to Wilkes-Barre, York and Williamsport.</p><p>To date, the news release indicates federal law enforcement agencies have adopted approximately 34 cases involving 41 defendants relating to firearms offenses.</p><p>Specifically in Wilkes-Barre, Smith said the program has meant a greater involvement with the federal Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the city&#8217;s police department.</p><p>In the past six months, he said, six cases have involved the first steps of the renewed strategy.</p><p>Smith said the overall goal of the program is to protect the public while giving support to local law enforcement agencies.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s clear the local law enforcement doesn&#8217;t always have the resources or the statutes to appropriately deal with repeat, violent offenders,&#8221; Smith said.</p><p>Smith also said that, along with the ATF, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and U.S. Marshals are being encouraged to work more closely with state police and task force officers.</p><p>Smith added another trend coming from the federal government will be &#8220;seeking stronger, greater sentences and bringing additional charges against violent offenders, especially when it involves gang or drug activity.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Travis Kellar</p><p>tkellar@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

U.S. Attorney’s Office announces strategy to combat violent crime in Wilkes-Barre, other cities