HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
Federal agencies have stepped in to help Harrisburg curb its crime issues. They're promising a heavy does of law and order to fight violence.
United States Attorney Peter Smith had a stark description for the city's crime woes.
"Harrisburg and this area, the whole area, have a current serious outbreak," said Smith.
Raoul I-Deen has noticed a drastic change in the eight years he has lived in Harrisburg.
"[Crime is] a little bit more extreme," said I-Deen. "It's not like it used to be. It's more and more and more."
A constant battle with violence has forced city, county, state, and federal officials to band together and devise a plan against it.
This two-pronged plan consists of a heavy does of law and order. First, Dauphin County's SWAT team will help Harrisburg police officers patrol high-crime areas starting this weekend.
"Let's us know that police department cares about us and going through means to do something about it," said I-Deen.
Second, the U.S. Attorney said federal agencies would prosecute criminal to the fullest extent of the law. Smith vowed guilty parties would be sentenced to the maximum penalty allowed -- period.
"These thugs who pray on innocent citizens [and use guns], we're going to lock them up ... for a long time," Smith said.
Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson said she is fed up and will tolerate no more games or vicious acts. The mayor sent a clear message to parents, relatives, or anyone who cooperates with criminals.
"I'm pleading to you, if you don't want them to be turned over to our federal government under the hands of the United States Attorney general who has no mercy for them, that I am asking you, please, get those guns out of their hands and turn them in," said Thompson.
