South Delco News

Rep. Craig Williams of Pennsylvania is advocating for state funding to equip smaller police forces with body cameras and License Plate Recognition cameras. This initiative aims to enhance the apprehension of criminals in high-traffic areas such as Delaware and Chester counties.

Williams highlighted the need for these resources during a House Republican Policy Committee hearing on crime and public safety held at the Concord Township Municipal Office Building in Glen Mills. He emphasized the challenges faced by communities surrounded by major transportation routes, which facilitate criminal activity.

“While we have a robust criminal justice system in our two counties, we are surrounded by communities where there is a lack of (prosecutions),” Williams stated, referencing Philadelphia and Wilmington, Del., which border his district.

The representative has encountered bureaucratic obstacles while seeking funding for body cameras for volunteer officers in Bethel Township. “That somebody in Harrisburg doesn’t think there is enough crime going on in the 160th District and in Bethel is reprehensible,” he remarked.

Chris Eiserman, president of Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 27, expressed concerns about crime spillover from Philadelphia into Delaware County. “Every day you’re seeing people come in from Philadelphia and destroy the quality of life in Delaware County because they are getting away with it in Philadelphia and they are thinking they can get away with the same thing here, and they can’t,” he said.

Williams pledged support to local law enforcement leaders like Bethel Police Chief John Egan. “I’m standing shoulder to shoulder with you to fight crime, to make our community safe,” Williams assured Egan during his testimony on funding challenges for smaller police units.

The committee also heard from Liam N. Power of the Office of Advocacy and Reform and Professor Gregg Volz from Harcum College. They advocated for diversionary programs aimed at preventing youth incarceration.

Josh Kail, chairman of the House Policy Committee, underscored the importance of exploring various strategies to improve community safety. “Our country is in the middle of a devastating crime epidemic,” Kail said. He acknowledged Rep. Craig Williams for hosting the forum and thanked participants for their insights on addressing this critical issue.