Bryan Cutler
09/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2024 12:14
House Republicans Announce Package to Tackle Crime in Pennsylvania, Begin Focus on Crime Prevention
Sep. 30, 2024
HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus Monday announced members will be introducing a package of bills to tackle the effects of the national crime crisis in Pennsylvania.
"We know from the statistics, but more importantly the experience and news stories, that crime-including violent crime-in our communities is out of control," said House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) at a press conference announcing the legislative package.
"From rural to urban Pennsylvania, no community has been spared from the crime crisis. It has exhausted police and prosecutors. It has exhausted local and state resources. And it has exhausted our patience," Cutler added.
The legislative package unveiled by House Republicans will take a four-pillared approach to tackling crime and violent crime in Pennsylvania with focuses on prevention, policing, prosecution and punishment.
Monday, lawmakers focused on the prevention pillar of the package with legislation sponsored by Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware/Chester) and Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny).
These prevention bills will empower communities and neighborhoods with the ability to spot and prevent crime with their own resources and new legal structures.
Legislation sponsored by Williams will establish an advisory committee at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to promote the organization and operation of community crime stopper programs, identify and direct funding for rewards, and share best practices across the state for all the programs to benefit.
"My legislation is about empowering communities to safely and anonymously help solve crimes," said Williams. "By supporting independent crime stopper programs, we can ensure that tipsters feel secure in providing critical information without fear of retaliation. Retail theft and other crimes drive up costs for businesses, which pass those losses onto consumers through higher prices, further exacerbating inflation. Establishing an advisory committee will help standardize these programs across Pennsylvania, making them more effective in keeping our neighborhoods safe. As we confront the challenges of rising crime, inflation, and the impact of illegal immigration, this legislation is one step toward restoring security and stability in our communities."
Legislation sponsored by Gaydos will create a framework for communities to organize their own neighborhood watch programs with the support and assistance of local law enforcement. Law enforcement programs will provide volunteers with training in what behavior to report to law enforcement, how to avoid bias and safety measures participants can take.
"My legislation would authorize and expand neighborhood watch programs and addresses the critical issue of determining bail for violent offenders," said Gaydos. "These bills represent a comprehensive approach to addressing crime in Pennsylvania. While some forms of crime are down significantly, others are increasing. By empowering communities to help prevent crime before it happens and prioritizing public safety when determining bail for violent offenders, we can begin to restore a sense of safety and security for all Pennsylvanians."
You can view the co-sponsorship memos sent to members concerning these bills here and here.
You can view Monday's press conference in its entirety here.
Republican Leader Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jason Gottesman
717-512-0620
[email protected]
RepCutler.com / Facebook.com/RepBryanCutler
Twitter.com/RepBryanCutler
Media Contacts:
• Rep. Williams - Will Patterson: [email protected]
• Rep. Gaydos - Rick Leiner: [email protected]
"We know from the statistics, but more importantly the experience and news stories, that crime-including violent crime-in our communities is out of control," said House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) at a press conference announcing the legislative package.
"From rural to urban Pennsylvania, no community has been spared from the crime crisis. It has exhausted police and prosecutors. It has exhausted local and state resources. And it has exhausted our patience," Cutler added.
The legislative package unveiled by House Republicans will take a four-pillared approach to tackling crime and violent crime in Pennsylvania with focuses on prevention, policing, prosecution and punishment.
Monday, lawmakers focused on the prevention pillar of the package with legislation sponsored by Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware/Chester) and Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny).
These prevention bills will empower communities and neighborhoods with the ability to spot and prevent crime with their own resources and new legal structures.
Legislation sponsored by Williams will establish an advisory committee at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to promote the organization and operation of community crime stopper programs, identify and direct funding for rewards, and share best practices across the state for all the programs to benefit.
"My legislation is about empowering communities to safely and anonymously help solve crimes," said Williams. "By supporting independent crime stopper programs, we can ensure that tipsters feel secure in providing critical information without fear of retaliation. Retail theft and other crimes drive up costs for businesses, which pass those losses onto consumers through higher prices, further exacerbating inflation. Establishing an advisory committee will help standardize these programs across Pennsylvania, making them more effective in keeping our neighborhoods safe. As we confront the challenges of rising crime, inflation, and the impact of illegal immigration, this legislation is one step toward restoring security and stability in our communities."
Legislation sponsored by Gaydos will create a framework for communities to organize their own neighborhood watch programs with the support and assistance of local law enforcement. Law enforcement programs will provide volunteers with training in what behavior to report to law enforcement, how to avoid bias and safety measures participants can take.
"My legislation would authorize and expand neighborhood watch programs and addresses the critical issue of determining bail for violent offenders," said Gaydos. "These bills represent a comprehensive approach to addressing crime in Pennsylvania. While some forms of crime are down significantly, others are increasing. By empowering communities to help prevent crime before it happens and prioritizing public safety when determining bail for violent offenders, we can begin to restore a sense of safety and security for all Pennsylvanians."
You can view the co-sponsorship memos sent to members concerning these bills here and here.
You can view Monday's press conference in its entirety here.
Republican Leader Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jason Gottesman
717-512-0620
[email protected]
RepCutler.com / Facebook.com/RepBryanCutler
Twitter.com/RepBryanCutler
Media Contacts:
• Rep. Williams - Will Patterson: [email protected]
• Rep. Gaydos - Rick Leiner: [email protected]
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