Oct. 24, 2022
HARRISBURG – State House Majority Policy Committee members last week learned that major crimes have increased 100-300% over the past three years in Warrington alone, and as of Oct. 1, 2022, robberies, burglaries, retail theft, credit card fraud and ID theft have already exceeded three-year averages from 2019-21.
“These crimes stand out because they are not typically committed by people from our area,” said Warrington Police chief Daniel J. Friel. “In most circumstances, criminals will come to Warrington, or other towns like ours, and attempt to defraud our business owners using fake or stolen ID’s or stolen credit cards, typically driving cars with stolen or dead license plates that cannot be traced back to them.”
Friel outlined the crisis in Bucks County and surrounding communities at the hearing hosted last week by Rep. Todd Polinchock (R-Bucks), who requested the hearing to focus on solutions to improve public safety across the state.
“We are witnessing an unhinged level of crime being committed today. Not only are we witnessing it, but our communities are being affected by it,” Polinchock said. “This lawlessness is unacceptable, and we must reverse this trend. That was the directive of the hearing: To seek information on how to prevent cases from surging in order to keep our communities safe and finding legislative solutions to specific problems seen throughout not only our communities but the entire state.”
In addition to an emphasis on crime, Bucks County district attorney Matt Weintraub highlighted the drug and mental health crisis, which is fueling crime.
“One glaring hole in our current system, is where to put these people once they are identified,” Weintraub said. “Many are suffering from withdrawal, or decompensating, or from acute mental health episodes. There are simply not enough beds to house them while we are trying to triage their cases to determine where they should best be served, and simultaneously maintaining public protection. Often times, they end up jail.”
Weintraub argued this was a poor fit for many nonviolent offenders, but there are few alternatives.
“I do believe fiercely in self determinism, and in self-accountability for one’s actions,” Weintraub said. “But I also believe that if we can attack the root of ‘why people commit crimes,’ then we can break that vicious cycle of drug/alcohol addiction or poor mental health and crime.”
Friel and Weintraub joined Polinchock, Committee Chairman Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), members of the committee and additional testifiers: Bill McVey, safety director of Bensalem Police Department; Sergeant Michael Moore, Cheltenham Township Police Department and United States Police Canine Association Region 6 (Pennsylvania) president; and a business owner from Feasterville who was recently a victim of violent crime.
“The legislature strongly supports our law enforcement officers and will make it a priority to provide the necessary resources available so they can perform their job at peak efficient,” Causer said. “Our goal is to protect life and property and enhance the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. It is imperative that we combat crime to keep our citizens safe.”
Testifiers offered a multitude of valuable insights on crime and what legislators can do to help resolve the inflation of crime and prevent it from continuing to spread in the Philadelphia region and throughout the Commonwealth.
Representative Todd Polinchock
144th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rene Morrow
717.260.6273
rmorrow@pahousegop.com
RepPolinchock.com / Facebook.com/RepPolinchock