Jan 27, 2008 2 min read

Uniontown may not be Detroit or New York when it comes to gang activity, but city, school district and community leaders are right to attempt to address the problem now, before it gets too out of hand. That’s being proactive, which is an encouraging sign in an area where too often problems fester and get worse. What prompted the attention? Three girls were accosted by a group of females near South Grant Street following a basketball game. Dr. Charles Machesky, Uniontown Area School District superintendent, says intimidation and bullying won’t be tolerated. He says a loosely organized get affiliated group is causing problems in the city’s East End area.

Uniontown Mayor Ed Fike, pledging to support the school district’s efforts, said gang-related graffiti would be removed as it is discovered. Fike doesn’t want that unsavory artwork to become part of the city scenery, and neither should any decent citizen who pays taxes or takes pride in where he or she lives.

Fike, elected in November with a passion for improving quality of life, is talking tough on this issue and appears willing to back it up with action. Fike says the city and its police department will “do everything in its power” to curb gang activity and keep students safe.

Clinton Anderson, president of the Fayette County branch of the NAACP, is glad the school district is addressing rather than ignoring the problem. No child should live in fear of going to school, says Anderson.

The school district should have no qualms about expelling any student who imposes that fear on another student. Those who want to get the public education to which they’re entitled should not have to worry about their physical well being in the process.

Jim Conway, a legislative aid to state Rep. Timothy S. Mahoney (D-South Union), correctly notes, “It’s going to take a community effort to get this under control.”

That means everyone must work with police and the school district to curb the activity.