PRINTER'S NO. 1528

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

333

Session of

2015

INTRODUCED BY ACOSTA, DERMODY, READSHAW, MURT, COHEN,

DiGIROLAMO, HENNESSEY, BAKER, CONKLIN, DRISCOLL, MILLARD,

V. BROWN, VEREB, TAYLOR, DUSH, SONNEY, BROWNLEE, KINSEY,

Recognizing the Statewide impact of community-oriented policing

on public safety in communities across this Commonwealth and

acknowledging the role of community-oriented policing in

helping law enforcement officials meet the demands and needs

of the residents they serve and protect.

WHEREAS, Community-oriented policing, or neighborhood-

oriented policing, is a strategic approach to law enforcement

and represents a change in the way law enforcement agencies in

this Commonwealth and nationwide respond to the communities they

serve and protect; and

WHEREAS, While what constitutes community-oriented policing

varies across this Commonwealth and the nation, a 2014 study

published in the Journal of Experimental Criminology concluded

that "community-policing strategies have a positive effect on

citizens satisfaction and trust in the police, as well as in the

reduction of individuals' perception of disorderly conduct,

including drug dealing"; and

WHEREAS, One of the many State officials that advocate for

community-oriented policing is Captain P. Cram of the

Philadelphia Police Department; and

25th Police Districts, respectively; and

WHEREAS, While serving as commanding officer of the 26th

Police District, Captain Cram and his team of police officers

worked to eradicate criminal activity in the areas surrounding

North Philadelphia's Rainbow de Colores Park, which was commonly

referred to at the time as a "playground controlled by drug

dealers" because it served as the base of operations for local

drug traffickers; and

WHEREAS, Since drug traffickers controlled the streets, most

community residents were reluctant to venture outside their

instrumental in making Rainbow de Colores Park what it is today,

a place where children come to play on hot summer days, with

handball courts, community gardens and solar lighting; and

WHEREAS, Captain Cram brought the lessons he learned and his

knowledge of community-oriented policing to the neighboring 25th

Police District; and

WHEREAS, As Commander of the 25th Police District, Captain

Cram and the police officers under his command helped organize

three community-based groups, whose memberships include block

Captain Cram and his command for the express purpose of

overcoming distrust, while working to reduce crime and

revitalizing their neighborhoods, thereby, achieving the primary

goals of community-oriented policing; and

WHEREAS, Within most cities and towns across this great

Commonwealth, there are individuals who, by virtue of their

commitment and dedication to public service, command respect and

admiration for their exemplary contributions and service on

behalf of others; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of the House of Representatives to

WHEREAS, Captain Cram's family includes his wife Julia,

daughter Victoria and son Michael; and

WHEREAS, Captain Cram has 25 years of combined active-duty

service in the United States Army and reserve service in the

United States Army Reserve, where he serves as a Military Police

Captain; and

WHEREAS, Captain Cram is a veteran of both the Iraq and

Afghanistan wars and has completed four overseas deployments;

and

WHEREAS, Captain Cram once stated that community residents

"are the eyes and ears of the community" and he is "a firm

believer that neighbors take back neighborhoods, not the

police"; and

WHEREAS, According to Captain Cram, community residents

"educate us on what's going on in the community and we (police

officers) educate them on how the police work and how they can

help us better"; and

WHEREAS, Individuals who commit themselves to public service

and who unselfishly dedicate their lives to the preservation of

Police Week"; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

Statewide impact of community-oriented policing on public safety

in communities across this Commonwealth and acknowledge the role

of community-oriented policing in helping law enforcement

officials meet the demands and needs of the residents they serve

and protect; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge law

enforcement agencies across this Commonwealth to study

Philadelphia Police Department for his commitment to community-

oriented policing.