The Union County Sheriff’s Office Gang Reduction Unit is continuing its successful community outreach programs designed to decrease juvenile gang membership.
The Office of Juvenile Gang Reduction, headed by Chief Harold Gibson, was founded two years ago to address the problem of young people joining gangs. During that time, more that 4,000 students throughout the county have participated in various activities highlighting the ills of becoming involved with gangs.
“It is incredibly important that we explain to our young people that gangs will only do them harm,” said Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich. “Joining a gang is a dead end.”
Chief Gibson, who has more than four decades of experience in law enforcement, has taken a proactive approach to gang reduction with meetings, demonstrations and assemblies. Students have observed actual sentencing procedures in Superior Court in Elizabeth. Along with Sheriff’s Officers and Corrections Officers, Chief Gibson also visits with students at schools and meets with youth groups such as Boys and Girls Clubs.
“I commend Sheriff Froehlich and his office for aggressively addressing this serious issue that endangers our children,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan. “The valuable outreach Chief Gibson is doing is helping keep kids safe.”
The Sheriff’s Gang Reduction Unit has received training in advanced gang identification and investigation through the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. Members of the unit have also been trained in identifying warning signs of school violence through a program sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Newark Division.
In addition to interactive programs with students, Sheriff Froehlich has worked with schools and student bodies in the production of educational videos dealing with bullying, the danger of gangs and what to do if students discover a firearm.
For more information about the Union County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Gang Reduction please contact Chief Gibson at 908-527-4450. |
