ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Local leaders are speaking out after a recent increase in violent crime among teenagers.
“It’s always troubling when we see young people who are the victims of violence and I think that brings us more concern,” said Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan.
Since May, Lehigh County has seen two deadly shootings involving teenagers.
Just this week, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly stabbed by a 15-year-old boy.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan says his office is working with local communities to address violent crime among young people.
“We’re working on it, the law enforcement agencies where these things happen are working on it, trying to address the fundamental concerns that bring it around,” he said.
The DA says his office is also investing in the county’s children.
“Our office does a lot to try to create programming and support programming that keeps kids busy over the summer months,” Holihan said.
Programming like the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown.
In May, the DA’s office donated $100,000 in drug forfeiture funds to help keep the Cumberland Gardens facility open.
“It has helped us to keep open throughout the summer to staff more individuals to offer more opportunities like field trips and workforce development,” said Katarah Jordan, Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club.
Jordan says programs like this are crucial in preventing youth violence and giving local kids a better path forward.
“What can we do, what prevention steps can we take, and that’s the part where I think Boys and Girls Clubs come in,” Jordan said. “We are prevention, we have them from kindergarten through 12th grade and the earlier we get them the longer we keep them so I definitely believe that the work we are doing here is supporting that.”