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Local, federal law enforcement officials: We’re working together to fight gun violence

Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, and Police Commissioner Richard Ross were among the officials who attended an event in South Philadelphia to discuss gun-related investigations and arrests.

Josh Shapiro, Attorney General, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, along with other law enforcement officials and politicians announce a gun violence initiative at the Vare Recreation Center in Philadelphia, PA on August 8, 2018.
Josh Shapiro, Attorney General, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, along with other law enforcement officials and politicians announce a gun violence initiative at the Vare Recreation Center in Philadelphia, PA on August 8, 2018.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
    by Chris Palmer
    Updated 
    Published 

Nearly every top law enforcement official in the region gathered at a South Philadelphia recreation center Wednesday afternoon to affirm that local and federal authorities have been working together to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro said at a news conference that a task force set up more than a decade ago, which includes members of his office and the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, has been working with agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to share information about suspected gun traffickers and straw purchasers. The increased level of cooperation has led to 12 arrests and dozens of other leads since April, he said.

Also in attendance at the Vare Recreation Center were: District Attorney Larry Krasner; Police Commissioner Richard Ross; Donald Robinson, special agent in charge of the ATF's Philadelphia field division; First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams; and politicians including Mayor Kenney, Council President Darrell L. Clarke, and City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson.