Gov. Shapiro speaks on gun violence, investing in local law enforcement in Wilkes-Barre

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE CO. (WOLF) — More than ever before, officials say Northeastern Pennsylvania is seeing an exceptional amount of gang violence.

Wednesday, Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis joined Luzerne County leaders to highlight increased investments in local law enforcement to combat gun violence.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) granted over $600,000 through the Gun Violence Investigation and Prosecution program to the Luzerne County District Attorney’s office.

“Allowing them to hire a full-time detective and assistant district attorney, and prosecute more gun crimes in our communities, while also giving them the flexibility to purchase more equipment and expand their training,” said Governor Josh Shapiro.

Governor Shapiro says the lives of over 2,000 Pennsylvanians were lost last year due to gun violence.

“We’re seeking to invest $100 million in these initiatives to help our district attorneys and communities that are doing this important work,” said Shapiro.

“If they adopted my budget as is, complete with these public safety investments we would still have an $11 million surplus left over, and we’d cut taxes, cut costs, and make critical investments here in Luzerne County and all across Pennsylvania,” he said.

Kathy Lee Toothill, a gun violence survivor was shot 12 times in 1972 and says recovering is a lifelong process.

“Walking up the snowing road to my parents home, I heard a voice that said Kathy come here. I turned around and saw that it was a boy that I had dated briefly the year before,” said Kathy Lee Toothill, a gun violence survivor.

“I was shot 12 times with a 22-caliber rifle – six times in my legs, four times in my abdomen, and two times in my left arm. I had a broken hip, broken arm, and numerous internal injuries from the bullets,” she said.

Back in 1972, Kathy says there was no victims’ advocacy.

“Unfortunately, our area is not immune to this gun violence epidemic, and it’s been happening all over our nation, and I wanted to support legislation and politicians who know that it’s common sense that we just want to keep people safe,” said Heather Davis of Dunmore.

Governor Josh Shapiro says to reduce gun violence we have to invest in law enforcement and our communities, to make safer neighborhoods, towns, and cities.

Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis have also called on the General Assembly to strengthen Pennsylvania’s laws and pass important gun reform legislation.