Cherepko speaks out on shootings
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Pausing occasionally to prevent himself from choking up, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko spoke out during Tuesday’s council meeting about a recent string of shootings that have shaken the city.
Cherepko commented on the efforts of McKeesport police “to curb this addiction to crime and violence” and proclaimed that more needs to be done from a community-building aspect to ensure that at-risk young adults, children and parents are receiving support and positive influences and experiences.
The latest shootings in the city occurred Sunday and Monday, and Cherepko called them “heartbreaking.”
“Anytime there is a death in the city through gun violence or whatever it may be,” he said, “you can’t put into words how I feel as mayor and how quickly my demeanor changes, just as it does for many of you that love our city and care for our city and believe in our city and believe that better days lie ahead.”
To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.
