Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
09/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/05/2024 12:03
Labs, Policy Committee Host Hearing on Solutions to Combat Stalking
Sep. 05, 2024
BEDMINSTER-Rep. Shelby Labs (R-Bucks) and the House Republican Policy Committee, led by Vice Chairman Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland), convened a hearing to improve awareness of the various forms of stalking and identify legal blind spots that hinder law enforcement's ability to intervene. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stalking impacts one in three women and one in six men in the United States.
The hearing, titled "Protecting Victims: Solutions to Combat Stalking," took place at the Upper Bucks Technical School and featured testifiers Nicholas Virnelson, interim chief, Bedminster Township Police Department; Matthew Phelan, retired police chief, Bedminster Township Police Department; Jennifer Schorn, district attorney, Bucks County; Gayle Marinelli, local resident, Bucks County; and Laurie Hepler, civilian community relations specialist and victim advocate, Bedminster Township Police Department.
"I have been a prosecutor in this county for 25 years and there have been cases where we have been unable to prosecute," said Schorn. "These victims have suffered through those criminal acts without law enforcement or the prosecution being able to do anything to protect them, and that's just appalling."
In recognizing the need to enhance Pennsylvania's current stalking law, Labs has crafted a legislative package that further protects victims from stalking crimes. The package will be introduced this month.
"This hearing was crucial in order to raise awareness and identify where shortfalls exist in combatting stalking in Pennsylvania," said Labs. "My priority is to strengthen the law and provide law enforcement with the tools it needs to effectively combat this criminal behavior, protect our communities and empower victims of stalking."
"The proposed changes to the statute are relatively simple," continued Schorn. "But absolutely life-altering for our ability to investigate and prosecute these crimes."
"We must deliver hope to all Pennsylvanians that crime is not a constant in Pennsylvania," said Ecker. "We are standing strong to protect everyone in every community, and we are grateful for everything Pennsylvania law enforcement does to keep our citizens safe from the harms of stalking."
To watch the complete hearing, click here or watch the video below.
Representative Shelby Labs
143rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Joe Szymanski
[email protected]
RepLabs.com/ Facebook.com/RepLabs
The hearing, titled "Protecting Victims: Solutions to Combat Stalking," took place at the Upper Bucks Technical School and featured testifiers Nicholas Virnelson, interim chief, Bedminster Township Police Department; Matthew Phelan, retired police chief, Bedminster Township Police Department; Jennifer Schorn, district attorney, Bucks County; Gayle Marinelli, local resident, Bucks County; and Laurie Hepler, civilian community relations specialist and victim advocate, Bedminster Township Police Department.
"I have been a prosecutor in this county for 25 years and there have been cases where we have been unable to prosecute," said Schorn. "These victims have suffered through those criminal acts without law enforcement or the prosecution being able to do anything to protect them, and that's just appalling."
In recognizing the need to enhance Pennsylvania's current stalking law, Labs has crafted a legislative package that further protects victims from stalking crimes. The package will be introduced this month.
"This hearing was crucial in order to raise awareness and identify where shortfalls exist in combatting stalking in Pennsylvania," said Labs. "My priority is to strengthen the law and provide law enforcement with the tools it needs to effectively combat this criminal behavior, protect our communities and empower victims of stalking."
"The proposed changes to the statute are relatively simple," continued Schorn. "But absolutely life-altering for our ability to investigate and prosecute these crimes."
"We must deliver hope to all Pennsylvanians that crime is not a constant in Pennsylvania," said Ecker. "We are standing strong to protect everyone in every community, and we are grateful for everything Pennsylvania law enforcement does to keep our citizens safe from the harms of stalking."
To watch the complete hearing, click here or watch the video below.
Representative Shelby Labs
143rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Joe Szymanski
[email protected]
RepLabs.com/ Facebook.com/RepLabs
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