DeNaro on Gang Eradication Efforts: ‘We’re Burning the Candle at Both Ends’

(File photograph)

Haverhill Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro assured city council members and residents Tuesday that the department is firing on all cylinders to combat the recent uptick in violent gang activity.

Discussing the arrests of individuals and seizure of weapons believed to be involved in four of the last five city shootings, DeNaro said his team is “burning the candle at both ends.”

“We provide the services of a 140-man police department with 90 officers, because that’s what this community demands,” he said. “That’s what we need to have the level of service we expect. What we need to figure out a way so I’m not doing it on 16- and 18-hour days on the back of our officers and properly staff. We’re all in agreement of that, it’s just how we get there.”

The chief confirmed that the Haverhill Police Department has worked with state and national agencies including the FBI, DEA and U.S. Marshals, and have in-house officers that are cross-sworn federally.

“If we didn’t have those at our disposal, we’d be in significantly worse shape,” DeNaro argued.

The Haverhill Police Department was assisted Tuesday by the State Police in arresting Nestor Gonzalez, 19, Lizmarie Lozada, 20, Juan Marte, 20, Carlos Rodriguez, 22, and a 17-year-old juvenile on Arch Avenue after a motor vehicle stop led to the seizure of two loaded guns and ammunition.

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