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Following Gang Arrests, Mount Vernon Mayor Calls For Added Police Funding

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas is calling for an investment in public safety in the city following the indictment of eight members of a local street gang.

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas.

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla

Last week, Joon Kim, the acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced the unsealing of an indictment charging eight members of the “Goonies” street gang with charges ranging from racketeering to drug and firearm offenses.

Thomas said that the charges were a good step forward for Mount Vernon, though there is still work to do if the city is to keep kids off the street.

“Though we are delighted to remove these menaces to society from our streets, we have to be mindful that our kids get lost in the streets when they are faced with a failing situation at home in the schools or in the overall community they live within,” he said.

“This is why we need to bring back youth sports, fix our parks, and build upon music, art and other constructive programs to excite their imagination to become positive and productive members of society.”

Thomas went on to call for an investment in public safety, “so that our police men and women have all the resources they need to keep our community safe.”

“By acquiring modern law enforcement technology like drones to assist the police department in tracking and surveilling criminal activity; modern fleet vehicles, and restoring the slashed police officer positions, our police department can better serve the people.”

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