HARRISBURG, Pa. — Republican lawmakers in Harrisburg are proposing new legislation which they say aims to curb violent crime across Pennsylvania.
State House Republicans are gearing up to introduce several bills they say use a four-pronged approach to fix an issue affecting both big cities and small-town communities.
Prevention, policing, prosecution, and punishment are the four pillars legislators are using to build the bill package.
“This topic is incredibly important to every Pennsylvanian," said Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler, who represents parts of Lancaster County. "We’ve heard it consistently as we’re out talking with constituents and meeting with them.”
On Monday, caucus representatives focused on the first prong––prevention.
They spoke on soon-to-be legislation that would do things like promote and create community “Crime Stopper” programs in all 67 counties, allowing those who witness crimes to report information anonymously.
“The fear of repercussions, the fear of, ‘Well, if I tell what I know I’ll be harmed, my family will be harmed.’" said State Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland). "We need to protect those individuals.”
Other proposed bills would authorize neighborhood watch programs and allow law enforcement to provide volunteers with training in reporting practices.
"Law enforcement is a bipartisan issue, community safety is a bipartisan issue," said State Rep. Delozier. "Those issues are something both Republicans and Democrats can support."
The move comes at what may seem like an odd time, as the current legislative session winds down. But Republicans say this is the exact time to take action.
“Major legislation requires constant work," said State Rep. Craig Williams (R-Chester, Delaware) "We’re preparing now not only for the end of this session, but the beginning of next session which ironically begins on the 1st of December, not more than a few weeks after the election.”
“Now is when people are upset," added State Rep. Delozier. "They are mad they are seeing folks not being prosecuted. They’re victims themselves and they’re not feeling the justice system is working for them.”
FOX43 reached out to House Democrats, requesting an interview for this story. They declined to discuss the topic.