PRINTER'S NO.  132

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

No.

8

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, TARTAGLIONE, BROWNE, ERICKSON, TOMLINSON, RAFFERTY, WAUGH AND COSTA, JANUARY 12, 2011

  

  

REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, JANUARY 12, 2011  

  

  

  

A RESOLUTION

  

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Directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the

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issue of violent crime, to establish an advisory committee to

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review proposals that address the issue of violent crime and

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to report to the Senate with its findings and

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recommendations.

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WHEREAS, Pennsylvania cities of all sizes are experiencing

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significant violent crime often related to drug trafficking,

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gangs and violence using guns; and

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WHEREAS, Violent crime affects all Pennsylvanians, including

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the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line

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every day to protect us by preserving the peace; and

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WHEREAS, In looking at ways to address violent crime, the

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General Assembly should recognize the increasing problem of

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violence against police officers; and

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WHEREAS, In recent sessions, both houses of the General

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Assembly have recognized the need to address the issue of

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violent crime; and

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WHEREAS, The Senate Judiciary Committee held public hearings

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on urban violence in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Altoona and

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Harrisburg; and

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WHEREAS, Witnesses at these public hearings made many

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legislative and administrative recommendations that address

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violent crime; and

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WHEREAS, Testifying at the Harrisburg public hearing, the

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Fraternal Order of Police proposed the formation of a Joint

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State Government Commission advisory committee to review these

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recommendations; and

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WHEREAS, The House of Representatives held a Committee of the

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Whole to discuss dozens of crime-fighting proposals; and

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WHEREAS, There are many violence-prevention programs in place

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around the nation that represent best practices; therefore be it

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RESOLVED, That there is a need for a comprehensive study of

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the proposals made to the Senate Judiciary Committee, the

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proposals considered by the Committee of the Whole and any other

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proposals or best practices which would help alleviate violent

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crime; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government

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Commission to study the issue of violent crime, to establish an

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advisory committee consisting of experts on the issue of violent

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crime, which is balanced so that it encompasses a wide range of

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backgrounds and viewpoints, to review proposals that address the

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issue of violent crime and develop a consensus on the

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recommendations best suited for Pennsylvania and to report to

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the Senate with its findings and recommendations no later than

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two years after adoption of this resolution.

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