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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 13, 2022 10:09 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Isabella V. Fitzgerald |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Creating the Safe Communities Grant Program |
| Most gun violence does not occur in the light of day or in illuminated, well-monitored areas, but in darkened peripheries where poor lighting makes it more difficult for witnesses to view perpetrators or even the crime itself. Simply put, darkness gives gun violence an advantage. With levels of gun violence remaining disturbingly high, we must do everything we can to protect our communities, especially our most vulnerable residents, from this violence. To do so, I intend to introduce legislation to create the Safe Communities Grant Program, a competitive grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which will provide grant funding to communities to install lighting, security cameras, or both, around schools, playgrounds, community centers, and high crime areas. To fund this program, my legislation will establish additional fees for licenses to carry a firearm and firearm purchases. Studies have demonstrated that improved outdoor lighting results in a significant reduction in nighttime crimes, including crimes of violence. The installation of security cameras, especially in conjunction with increased lighting, has also been shown to lower crime rates, and security camera footage of the crimes that do occur can be used to assist law enforcement in apprehending those responsible. Installing lights and cameras in high crime areas is a cost-effective and efficient way to save lives and reduce crime. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation which will lead not only to brighter streets, but a brighter future for our communities. |
Introduced as HB2562