The results are in from a joint, four-month effort to combat gang violence in Syracuse. Police Chief Frank Fowler says the 248 arrests made during “Operation: Salt City” from May to September included 124 gang members. He says they couldn’t have had that success without the help of the U.S. Marshal Service.
"It's not only important that we have a group like this, but it's important that we sustain a group like this. All urban police departments throughout the country are facing a manpower shortage like this. The City of Syracuse is no different."
Congressman John Katko finds himself on the front end of the gang problem in Syracuse, as opposed to his days as an assistant federal prosecutor putting gang members behind bars.
"My role going forward is to make sure that these things continue to get properly funded, and help them in any way I can. I'll be your biggest cheerleader. It's really hard for me not to be involved in doing these cases now, but I understand my role is very important because I can still help them get the funding they need."
Katko says he shudders to think what would have happened in Syracuse over the past decade or so without the multi-agency Gang Violence Task Force, which played an active role during “Operation Salt City.” Chief Fowler says no one gang was targeted this time around; rather it was certain activity.
"What gets our attention is behavior. The violent criminal behavior is what puts those gangs and those groups on our radar, and that's when we decide to go after them.”
Both Fowler and Katko say the difference is clear once the task force has finished working in certain neighborhoods. But at the same time, they say the pattern will continue.
Beyond the arrests and weapons, authorities also recovered more than $237,000 in cash, 70 grams of heroin, 266 grams of cocaine, and 723 grams of marijuana with a combined estimated street value of $44,000.
GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM
Officials are certainly pleased with the results of Operation: Salt City. But they're more concerned with addressing what’s causing children to turn to gangs and crime.
