Family Members of Those Affected Most Comment on Violence in Norristown

Philly.com on Saturday featured a story about the recent violence plaguing Norristown.

Byron Brown, the brother of , and Darchelle Pierce, the mother of , spoke about the what drives young men to a culture of street violence.

"Imagine a bunch of poor people who will do anything – who will steal, will kill, will sell their bodies, will sell drugs – to change their situation," Byron told Inquirer staff writer Carolyn Davis. "But the sad thing about it is, you go through every day, every week, every month, doing the same exact thing, and you really ain't changing your situation."

Pierce, whose son was reportedly a close friend of both Paul Brown and importance of early intervention for at-risk youth.

"If you don't get the kids on the forefront, and the only people willing to talk to the kids are the people on the streets, then what do you expect the outcome is going to be," Pierce reportedly said.

Read the full story, including input from local officials and clergy, here.