'We're always on alert' - Luzerne County Sheriff's Department prepared for protests The Luzerne County Sheriff's Department is ready if needed for any type of demonstration on Inauguration Day. Author: Chelsea Strub Updated: 5:16 PM EST January 13, 2021 WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Luzerne County Sheriff Brian Szumski says his sheriff's deputies are ready and trained for any situation that could happen at the courthouse or in the surrounding areas. "We are, we're always on alert, especially anything happens nationally, it always has local repercussions. Things could happen here," explained Szumski. "We were the host to a number of events throughout the summer, whether it be president, either election-related, the Black Lives Matter movement. We are the host who had a number of protests. Thankfully, all were peaceful."