Gangs considered growing issue in Falls

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - Leaders and citizens met to discuss what's considered a growing problem in the Cataract City: gangs.

It was made very clear how the Niagara County Sheriff's office is working every day with the Niagara Falls Police Department on things like Operation Impact just to keep a leg up on the crime in the Falls. The Niagara Falls Ministerial Council called this meeting to address crime and it comes on a week with three shootings in Niagara Falls.

John Chella, Niagara Falls Police Superintendent, said, "I'm amazed at how senseless some of these acts of vengeance have carried out."

The fear is that more Niagara Falls teens are turning to gang-style violence.

"They just want to be involved. That's the bottom line. They want someone that gives a damn about them. They find that in the gang activity," said Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour.

Gloria Dolson wishes more young people were invited to this forum.

"What the problem is, is that we are not including the youth," said Dolson.

Russ Petrozzi, Niagara Falls School Board President, said, "The problem we have is getting our children to the table because the parents won't put them there."

Mayor Paul Dyster recalls how many teens turned out for a summer jobs fair this month.

"It was heartbreaking. I wanted to cry, I'll tell you, because I walked through the job fair a couple of times and had all of these very young kids, a lot of them look like they just graduated from high school, they're trying to do the right thing by going to find a job, and I know we don't have anywhere near the number of jobs that we have applicants," said Mayor Dyster.

Niagara Falls City Councilmember Charles Walker said, "Not all our kids are bad. If we begin to work with these kids, those kids that we begin to change will change those that need to be changed."

There will be another meeting like this one in about a month or two, but in the meantime, the Sheriff points out how people can be a citizen observer on the Internet. You can utilize this website as well as this website to help battle crime in Niagara Falls.