SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Brian Gallagher is Lackawanna County’s new district attorney, stepping into the role following Mark Powell’s appointment as a judge.
28/22’s Kathryn O’Leary sat down with Gallagher to learn more about him and his career.
In my conversation with D.A Gallagher, he says it’s been a busy few weeks but he’s eager to start implementing his ideas.
“I’m from a neighborhood where we take care of each other we fight for each other. Very proud of that,” voiced Brian Gallagher, District Attorney, Lackawanna County.
West Scranton native Brian Gallagher quickly began his career as a prosecutor after receiving his law degree, serving both in the Lackawanna County D.A.’s office and at the federal level with the Department of Justice.
“Started in the juvenile unit, went to the DUI homicide by motor vehicle unit, the arson unit, I teach at Homeland Security for arson cases for arson investigations, did the drug unit and gang unit, and then became in charge of the major crime unit before leaving for the U.S Attorney’s office so it’s a jack of all trades,” explained Gallagher.
Now at 38, Gallagher reflects on his journey from a fresh-faced lawyer to a key figure in law enforcement.
“It’s prideful. I grew up here. The people that are here saw me when I was 25 now I’m 38,” said Gallagher.
A main focus for Gallagher in this position is the juvenile unit.
“When I say that the juvenile unit is the most important unit in the D.A’s Office, I truly mean it. It’s the most serious unit. It’s the most serious court system because that’s when these kids are making a turn in their lives,” explained Gallagher.
Gallagher plans to deepen collaborative efforts with schools and community groups, providing resources aimed at deterring youth from crime.
“We’re going to continue with our gang initiative, gang, gun, and drug initiative. Really what we’re seeing in Scranton is an awful lot of violence with young men probably 16 to 25, and we’re going to employ aggressive patrols at night and weekends. What we have to do is be aggressive on the front end, and then couple it with working with our neighborhood groups and getting into the schools because ultimately that’s where you’re gonna take a right or left hand turn,” added Gallagher.
With a goal of making everyone’s lives safer.
“They’re residents nervous and they don’t feel safe. They don’t feel like they could walk, watch little league, or their kid could walk to school and back. That’s a problem we should be able to do that. I have four little kids under seven. I want to make Lackawanna County safe for not only my family and my kids, but their kids,” voiced Gallagher.
Gallagher will serve out the rest of Powell’s term, he plans to run for a full four-year term as district attorney in the upcoming election.
