Johnstown officials are planning steps to curb the city's crime rate via a new commission.

The Drug & Violent Crime Commission held its first meeting Thursday night. The commission will investigate why the city's crime rate is on the rise and how to address the problem.

Members of the commission include business owners, law enforcement officials and pastors. At the meeting in City County chambers, participants said crime is an issue that affects everyone.

"If you are going to get the community involved and try to make it better, then you have to have people from all parts of the community," said state Rep. Bryan Barbin, a Democrat who represents the 71st District and who leads the commission.

Barbin and members of the commission will investigate crime reports, determine factors, then make recommendations adopted form a successful Altoona mode.

One person representing each of four committees will report back to the law enforcement group.