Cycle of retaliation prompted SCI Dallas protest, inmates say

web1_TTL041316HSSoft-WVWPA2.jpg

H.S. Softball: Pitcher Taylor Baloga, Pittston Area stop Wyoming Valley West

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A county-wide crime watch meeting on Monday night brought groups from throughout the area to share concerns, offer ideas and ask questions of law enforcement officials from throughout Luzerne County.</p><p>District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said the event, the first of its kind since 2013, was being appropriately held in conjunction with the National County Government Month, with a focus on safe and secure counties.</p><p>Salavantis gathered personnel from the county&#8217;s 911 center, Sheriff&#8217;s Department, Emergency Management Agency, correctional facility and Controller&#8217;s office, mayors from several municipalities, Pennsylvania State Police officials and area police chiefs to field questions from members of about 10 crime watch groups and interface with participants of the groups working to make their streets safer.</p><p>Sometimes, she said, that work is simply remaining observant and being willing to call 911.</p><p>Maryann King, of the South Wilkes-Barre Crime Watch, agreed with her.</p><p>&#8220;I was walking my dog the other night and on my way back I saw someone slinking down in a car,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I called the police and there were there in minutes.&#8221;</p><p>King said she lives on a relatively quiet street with good neighbors and is hoping to keep it that way.</p><p>The crime watch group serves as the eyes and ears of the city, she said.</p><p>Garrett Hittle, of the county EMA, encouraged members of the crime watch and all area residents to participate in the Swift911 program.</p><p>The program makes valuable information available to emergency responders, such as details about all members of the household, phone numbers, addresses, medical conditions, medications, vehicles, pets and even emergency contacts.</p><p>Salavantis asked for a show of hands indicating those who had pets. Nearly everyone&#8217;s hands went up.</p><p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what I thought,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I&#8217;m a pet lover too. If there&#8217;s a fire at your house, when firemen arrive, they know to get your animals out.&#8221;</p><p>Gill further explained that emergency information can now be disseminated to the public in a variety of ways, including the use of an app, by cell phone, by a landline phone or email. He said residents can subscribe to specific alerts.</p><p>The important thing, he said, is to get information out so that people are informed and remain as safe as possible.</p><p>Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Tom Kelly said every community has a crime watch, whether formal or informal.</p><p>&#8220;Every neighborhood has that person who is looking out the window to see if something is out of the ordinary,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Kelly told members of the crime watch groups that in addition to inviting law enforcement officials to speak at meetings, it was beneficial to have a variety of other speakers present information. &#8220;For example, contractors can provide information about safe landscaping and lighting,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Kelly also told attendees that their local law enforcement agencies were fully equipped and qualified to assist them.</p><p>&#8220;With a phone call, they can have helicopters on the scene immediately,&#8221; he said.</p><p>James J. Larson, acting warden at the county jail, said that, unfortunately, the prison population is growing.</p><p>With 750 inmates, housed in both the main facility and the Minimum Offenders Unit, the facility is not equipped to house the growing prison population, Larson said, adding that many criminals are coming from outside the area.</p><p>Still, he said, programs such as Daily Reporting and Drug/Mental Health Treatment Court provide an opportunity for criminals to be rehabilitated and make it less likely to for them to return to jail.</p><p>Many who attended Monday&#8217;s meeting said they felt better equipped to deal with problems in their neighborhoods.</p><p>&#8220;It was an excellent program,&#8221; said Mary Jarrett. &#8220;All explained their office function and newest programs and took questions. They also made themselves available for private conversations. (It was a) great learning opportunity and chance to meet other crime watchers.&#8221;</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Luz.-Crime-Watch-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Jim Brogan, foreground, and Ned Jones, of the Avoca Crime Watch, are attentive while 911 Director Fred Rosencrans addresses the audience Monday night. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Luz.-Crime-Watch-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Jim Brogan, foreground, and Ned Jones, of the Avoca Crime Watch, are attentive while 911 Director Fred Rosencrans addresses the audience Monday night. </caption0><photoCredit0>Tony Callaio | for Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Luz.-Crime-Watch-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">William Ives, of Luzerne County 911, boots up computers displaying Swift911, a free app that displays emergency alerts in the county. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Luz.-Crime-Watch-3.jpg</photo1><caption1>William Ives, of Luzerne County 911, boots up computers displaying Swift911, a free app that displays emergency alerts in the county. </caption1><photoCredit1>Tony Callaio | for Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Luz.-Crime-Watch-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis hosts a meeting of community crime watch groups from throughout the county on Monday night. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Luz.-Crime-Watch-4.jpg</photo2><caption2>Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis hosts a meeting of community crime watch groups from throughout the county on Monday night. </caption2><photoCredit2>Tony Callaio | for Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Luz.-Crime-Watch-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Trooper Tom Kelly, of the Pennsylvania State Police, Wyoming Barracks, explains different programs in which the PSP participate in Luzerne County as Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis looks on. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Luz.-Crime-Watch-1.jpg</photo3><caption3>Trooper Tom Kelly, of the Pennsylvania State Police, Wyoming Barracks, explains different programs in which the PSP participate in Luzerne County as Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis looks on. </caption3><photoCredit3>Tony Callaio | for Times Leader </photoCredit3></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Crime watch groups from all over county attended</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

D.A. hosts countywide crime watch meeting with numerous law enforcement officials