Being a member of law enforcement isn’t easy. Especially today. And while some of the disdain for law enforcement is warranted, that can leave good officers feeling wholly unappreciated. Locally, District Attorney Ryan Gardner is working to ensure that members of law enforcement in Lycoming County know that their hard work is noticed and appreciated.

As Gardner closed out his first year in office, he noted, “It is no secret that during 2020, a web of mistrust was cast overall law enforcement. I cannot attest to other counties, but Lycoming County Law Enforcement is unequivocally comprised of hard-working and conscientious public servants who vigorously pursue justice with a compassion for all individuals involved. The public often overlooks these qualities and focuses only on the conduct of a few because most members of law enforcement perform their service with humility and procedural correctness.”

In the past, the DA’s office has honored the men and women of law enforcement annually by hosting a meal at a Williamsport Crosscutter’s game during the summer. Obviously, COVID made that impossible this year. However, that wasn’t going to keep Gardner and his office from honoring the men and women in blue in our area.

The District Attorney’s office proudly presented a plaque to each municipal police department, the state police, the sheriff’s office, adult probation, and juvenile probation to “collectively thank each department’s members for her and his tireless devotion, dedication, and hard work to ensure the safety and welfare of Lycoming County citizens.” They were also given t-shirts that read “The Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office Appreciates All Law Enforcement.”

According to DA Gardner, “it was a small gesture to demonstrate the deep appreciation for law enforcement’s significant daily contributions to our County.”

While it wasn’t exactly what he wanted to do, Gardner said it was the first step in starting a new tradition in showing gratitude for all that the law enforcement community does for our area.

The mission of the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office is to “embrace the pursuit of justice with wisdom, humility, and accountability to all victims of crime.” DA Gardner and his team of ADAs have been working to do just that since he took office.

One of the platforms that he campaigned on was the backlog of cases on the County’s docket. Before COVID, he had already cleared over 150 cases from the list, working to bring the backlog to a more manageable number. The backlog of cases had repercussions, such as the dismissal of cases. While COVID has limited the number of jury trials that can be held, he’s hoping to be able to pursue more cases soon.

When asked about crime in the county, he said that majority of crimes in our area relate to DUIs, assaults (misdemeanor and felony), and narcotics (possession and distribution). He also noted that the majority of crime in our area is tied to drugs.

I can’t say that I’m surprised by that. Over the years, I have spent a lot of time of writing on the heroin epidemic in our area. And while it doesn’t appear to be as volatile as it was five years ago, that by no means, means that it isn’t a pressing issue in our community. That issue also seems to be evolving. Now we are dealing with not only heroin but what the heroin and other drugs are being mixed with. Fentanyl is a deadly drug that is popping up more regularly. Tramadol, an opiate with a high risk for addiction and dependence, is also being seen mixed with other narcotics too. As if that isn’t enough, the methamphetamine issues that have plagued the outlying counties seems to be creeping into Lycoming County.

All of this leads to the question, “What do we do?”

DA Gardner is a firm believer that change starts with community outreach. Again, some of his plans have been put on the back burner due to the pandemic, but as soon as it is deemed safe, he wants to make law enforcement presence known throughout the area. This includes having officers in schools regularly to speak with students. Not just to warn them of the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and violence, but to get to know them. To allow kids to see that police officers are members of their communities and neighborhoods. To help kids understand that police officers and law enforcement are there to help them and protect them, and they shouldn’t fear them.

He also wants to extend that message to the community at large.

Listen, I get it. There is a lot of talk in the world today about the problems with law enforcement. And it’s talk about problems that certainly need to be looked at and addressed. That being said, I think the vast majority of officers in our area are good officers who just want to help and protect our community members. But they need the public’s help in order to do that. Sometimes that chain of evidence is only so long, and witnesses are needed to help. Officers and the DA’s office are there to help and protect others so that those that deserve it can be brought to justice.

Another arm of community outreach is all of the programs that county detectives organize and participate in, including elderly abuse prevention, drug abuse prevention, child abuse prevention, neighborhood watches, citizen police academies, and more.

Since so much crime in our area is tied to drugs, that leaves the Narcotics Enforcement Unit working overtime — literally and figuratively. They are out showing a constant presence in the neighborhoods, showing criminals and citizens alike that they are watching and working to keep city streets and the people who live on them safe.

Being the District Attorney isn’t an easy job, and I asked DA Gardner why he wanted to do it at all. He said that he has always felt pulled to the prosecution side of law. He had previously worked as an ADA and then spent some years working in private practice but knew that prosecution was where he wanted to be. When the opportunity came, he went for it with gusto. Although that gusto has been tampered back a bit due to COVID, he is still moving forward every day to work for the people of Lycoming County. He said that this is “the most rewarding career I’ve ever had. It is stressful, but the most rewarding.”