On the heels of another violent weekend in Harrisburg, Mayor Thompson is again enacting the neighborhood safe zone program.
This week the program is set up in the Bellevue area. It's a 24/7 crackdown on major crimes and minor ones in the area.
“If you are a criminal, you will be pursued taken off the street, prosecuted to the full extent of law,” Mayor Thompson said. “If you are a citizen you need not fear criminals.”
After a weekend that saw two 20-year-old men shot in 24 hours, one fatally, the neighborhood safe zone is set up just blocks away.
A four block area shut down to drive thru traffic.
First, police work to identify violent criminals. Then, social service workers are brought in to speak with residents. Code enforcers’ spot check, issuing fines and tickets for trash or other violations.
But Mayor Thompson says its up to everyone to crack down on the violent offenders, urging family to keep tabs on potential criminals.
“So dads, uncles, brothers, nephews, we are asking you as well go inside your teenager’s room, search shoebox, hoodies, whatever and please turn that gun in,” Thompson told us.
91 guns were taken off Harrisburg streets in 2012. Nine of those were through an amnesty program.
“Let us do the investigation, let us determine if that gun is legally registered and if not we will confiscate it,” Thompson concluded.
CBS 21 will have more on the Neighborhood Safe Zone tonight during our late shows.
