Phillipsburg part of battle against gangs Tuesday, May 23, 2006 • By SARAH CASSI • The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | While the Lehigh Valley is set to reap the benefits of new $2.5 million anti-gang initiative, a Phillipsburg school official believes the district still has a role in the fight. The federal grant was awarded to cities and towns from Easton to Lancaster, the so-called Route 222 corridor, to combat gang violence and prevent gang membership. But economics will determine if gangs move out of the Route 222 corridor and into surrounding areas, said Bob Pierfy, the school district's student assistance coordinator. If the gangs can't make money off their activities where they are, they'll move out. "If we can make it a hard target over here, we can make it difficult for them to set up shop," said Pierfy, who has given local presentations on gang activity. Pierfy said the Warren County Prosecutor's office and surrounding police departments have been working behind the scenes to combat gang activity. Pierfy said residents can prevent gang proliferation by not accommodating gang activity like graffiti. Instead of ignoring graffiti, Pierfy said residents should report it, record it and remove it. The federal grant program stops at the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Police Chief Robert Mirabelli said he wasn't aware of the federal grant, but said the town can prevent gang activity with its own resources. Asked if he was concerned about gang activity being pushed into the Phillipsburg area with the new initiative, Mirabelli said "we're always concerned with gang activity and trying to keep on top of it." Phillipsburg police have a good relationship with surrounding police departments, including those in Pennsylvania, Mirabelli said. "We have a number of resources available to us," Mirabelli said. "If we need any assistance, it's just a phone call away." Reporter Sarah Cassi can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at scassi@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used with permission.