October 12, 2023
Keeping Our Communities Safe from Increasing Crime
The surge of crime emanating from Philadelphia into the surrounding suburban communities can no longer be overlooked. Once serene family-friendly neighborhoods are now grappling with burglary, fraud, assaults, and violence, previously unseen in these areas. Acknowledging the need for systemic change, Rep. Marcell and Rep. Tomlinson invited the House Republican Policy Committee to convene a critical hearing to address the growing prevalence and impact of crime on our suburban communities.
The hearing brought together a panelof experts, including law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and industry leaders, to share their insights and experiences regarding the escalating challenges posed by increasing crime. Their expertise is vital in understanding the failures within Philadelphia County that have allowed criminality to seep into the suburbs. Here are key takeaways from each testifier:
The testifiers that joined the Policy Committee were as follows:
Bucks County Crime Trends Panel:
Jennifer Schorn – First Assistant District Attorney, Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
Fred Harran – Sheriff, Bucks County
Questions for the Bucks County Crime Trends Panel
Public Safety Perspectives Panel:
William McVey – Director of Public Safety, Bensalem Police Department
Steven LeCompte – Chief of Police, Northampton Township Police Department
Dominic Varacallo – Chief of Police, Upper Southampton Police Department
Rudolph P. Muller, Jr. – Regional Director, Supply Chain Security, Bimbo Bakeries
Questions for the Public Safety Perspectives Panel
| Agenda - Bios – Testimony |
Jennifer Schorn, First Assistant District Attorney for Bucks County, began the day’s hearing by highlighting the urgent need for further legislation to combat organized theft rings and drug gangs. She stressed that her office does everything in its power to hold criminals responsible for their acts within Bucks County, but she can only be accountable for what occurs within her jurisdiction. She emphasized that Bucks County cannot always trust that crimes will be prosecuted in Philadelphia County due to poor relationships between prosecutors and Philadelphia’s relaxed approach to crime.
Due to limited bail options, there has been a growing number of arrest suspects skipping court appearances and fleeing from law enforcement, indicating the need for more robust legal measures to hold suspects accountable and to deliver justice. Assistant District Attorney Schorn also addressed emerging issues like catalytic converter theft, the rise of violent methamphetamine-related crimes, and the spillover of carjackings from Philadelphia into Bucks County. A rapidly growing concern for the entire Commonwealth is the emergent use of Xylazine, a horse tranquilizer also known as “Tranq”, among elicit opioid users. Assistant District Attorney Shorn is working closely with law enforcement to begin addressing this epidemic, but our federal law enforcement must work quickly to schedule and regulate this dangerous narcotic before serious charges can be levied on those that threaten our communities.
“Further legislation is desperately needed.”
Jennifer Schorn
First Assistant District Attorney, Bucks County |
Sheriff Fred Harran began his testimony by noting the striking similarities between the current crime surge and the crack/crime epidemic of 1980s NYC, emphasizing that dangerous drugs are pouring into our country and debilitating our communities. He highlighted significant increases in various crime categories in Bucks County, increases that can’t be ignored.
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Robbery +22.7% |
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Sexual Assault +17.1% |
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Theft +21.8% |
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Burglary +32.9% |
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Auto Theft +30.6% |
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Major Crimes +18.7% |
Sheriff Harran discussed how reduced police forces have led to officers staffing jails and holding criminals before incarceration, leading to increased costs and fewer officers available for community safety. When our jails lack sufficient staff, and an increasing number of offenders requiring access to supervised detox units, we lose officers on our streets and our communities pay both a higher social and financial cost. As stated first by Assistant District Attorney Schorn, the rise of Xylazine has been found to be a major contributor to rising thefts and overdoses. Officers do everything in their power to save users from overdoses, and in fact fatal overdoses are falling thanks to the use of Narcan, but it must be known that the lifesaving effect of Narcan has no impact on a Xylazine overdose. Furthermore, Xylazine users require at least a week to detox and their path to reach sobriety is a further strain on our jails.
“Crime knows no borders.”
Fred Harran
Sheriff, Bucks County |
William McVey, Director of Public Safety for Bensalem Police, pointed out significant increases in the most serious of crimes, and highlighting a 3,000% increase in the number of drivers fleeing from officers over the past five years. He stressed the rising discovery of illegal firearms, 75% in the last year, and the emergence of "ghost guns." In short, Bensalem Police have been tasked with addressing increasingly sophisticated and dangerous crime in recent years.
Mr. McVey noted that a key tool to address all manner of crime is a simple car stop. These routine traffic stops often lead to the discovery of more serious crimes, but these necessary stops cannot occur in Philadelphia due to "Driver Equity Laws." There are countless instances of a vehicular offence leading to the uncovering of a narcotics ring, illegal firearms, or countless other offences, but this tool is unavailable to police in the City of Philadelphia. Philadelphia’s laws hamstring their own police force while enabling the city’s criminal elements to venture into safer suburban communities. Furthermore, criminals out on bail from Philadelphia have been found committing crimes in Bucks County, and the decriminalization of retail theft, lax enforcement of vehicular laws, and lack of prosecution in Philadelphia contribute to increased crime. Because Philadelphia has become permissive of certain crimes, does not hold suspects in jail, and has weakened their police the surrounding counties and communities must now carry the burden of Philadelphia’s criminal entities.
“Larry Krasner’s failed practices, along with other Philadelphia officials, directly impacts the safety of Bucks County.”
William McVey
Director of Public Safety, Bensalem Police |
Chief of Police Steven LeCompte from Northampton Township reported a 26% increase in Part 1 crimes within the last 2.5 years, with Part 1 crimes including murder, rape, robbery, and human trafficking among other serious offences. Also, the Northampton community has been victim to a 600% increase in mail thefts, which is often underreported and a greater concern than simple “porch piracy”. He highlighted the interconnected nature of mail theft and fraud, leading to financial loss and identity theft. LeCompte emphasized that mail theft is often an organized criminal act and should be graded accordingly, but disappointingly a $100,000 loss or theft is required to bring the case to our nation’s Postal Inspectors and a US Attorney – thus mail theft is seen as solely a problem for state and local law enforcement.
“The integrity of the US mail service is at risk!”
Steven LeCompte
Chief of Police, Northampton Township |
Chief of Police Dominic Varacallo of Upper Southampton described how his township has become a hunting ground for Philadelphia criminals. Many criminals with extensive records have not been prosecuted in Philadelphia, and Varacallo cited instances of murderers in possession of automatic weapons discovered during traffic stops in his community. Often, those arrested in Northampton Township already have a lengthy criminal record and should have never been allowed out on bond by the City of Philadelphia. He shared a rise in the attempts of Philadelphia criminal gangs to exploit the limited resources of suburban police departments for firearm "straw purchase" investigations. Those unable to legally own a firearm will travel to suburban areas, attempt to have an acquaintance purchase the gun for them, and then return to Philadelphia. 60 people attempted this crime in Northampton Township within the last year, and these cases take significant time and effort for the small police department to pursue.
“Small Town USA has become a hunting ground for Philadelphia criminals.”
Dominic Varacallo
Chief of Police, Upper Southampton |
Rudolph P. Muller, Jr., the Regional Director of Supply Chain Security for Bimbo Bakeries, the largest commercial baking company in the United States, addressed the impact of catalytic converter theft on the company's vehicles. Theft of catalytic converters, a necessary component in modern vehicles, is plaguing Bimbo’s vehicle fleet and causing extensive monetary and productivity loss. Mr. Muller provided statistics on thefts and their associated costs, with 170 thefts in PA averaging nearly $2,500 in replacement costs. The $2,500 figure does not represent the true cost to Bimbo, as it does not reflect the increased security costs and significant supply chain delays that come from each theft. An important tool to address these thieves, which Bimbo encourages local police to utilize, are license plate readers to track suspects. These license plate readers can be installed remotely around company property, but can also be placed directly on an officer’s vehicle to monitor the traffic they see throughout the day. Mr. Muller concluded his testimony by stressing the far-reaching impacts of catalytic converter theft on supply chain and distribution networks, emissions and regulatory compliance, operations and manufacturing, vehicle fleets, and various businesses. This crime, currently treated like any other simple theft, has dramatic impacts on our residents and businesses and should carry reasonable charges that both punish and deter offenders.
“Crime incurs extra costs for our company and our customers.”
Rudolph P. Muller, Jr.
Regional Director, Supply Chain Security, Bimbo Bakeries |
The day’s hearing revealed that the challenges of increasing crime in suburban communities around Philadelphia are multi-faceted, and the impacts are significant. Insights from law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and industry leaders underscore the urgent need for coordinated efforts and comprehensive legislation to combat crime at its roots. Existing law must be enforced in every corner of the Commonwealth and supports must be provided to our law enforcement to quell the spread of criminality stemming from Philadelphia.