(LANCASTER) - With the official summer crime season just six weeks away, street gangs in cities including Harrisburg, Lancaster and York dusted off their brass knuckles and reported for Spring Training today.
"It's great seeing these guys again," said Hector 'Blood Nuts' Gutierrez, as he mingled at an ice cream social hosted by a Lancaster gang. "We've all got a lot of catching up to do."
Fellow gang member Howard 'No Pop Star' Jones said he "stayed loose" by knocking over a liquor store over the winter. "I still feel out of shape, though," Jones said.
Starting Monday, the socializing will dwindle and the gatherings will take on a much more serious tone. Members will attend weeks of workshops, such as "Bustin' Ass 101," "Tattoos 'n You," and "Balancing Gang and Family Life."
Spring Training for so called "minor league" gangs, such as those in Gettysburg and Lebanon, convenes next month.
"It's great seeing these guys again," said Hector 'Blood Nuts' Gutierrez, as he mingled at an ice cream social hosted by a Lancaster gang. "We've all got a lot of catching up to do."
Fellow gang member Howard 'No Pop Star' Jones said he "stayed loose" by knocking over a liquor store over the winter. "I still feel out of shape, though," Jones said.
Starting Monday, the socializing will dwindle and the gatherings will take on a much more serious tone. Members will attend weeks of workshops, such as "Bustin' Ass 101," "Tattoos 'n You," and "Balancing Gang and Family Life."
Spring Training for so called "minor league" gangs, such as those in Gettysburg and Lebanon, convenes next month.
