Author Archives: David R. Eshelman
Report: Pennsylvania a Major Source of Guns Used in New York Crimes
A recent report from the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman indicates that most gun crimes committed in New York involve weapons that come from out of the state. Pennsylvania was named as one of the major sources of those weapons. Per the report, there were thousands of guns (30,606) that found their […]
PennDOT to Focus on Impaired Driving During Holiday Season
The Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently announced plans to focus even more heavily on impaired driving during the upcoming holiday season. This year, there will be a national Click It or Ticket “Operation Safe Holiday” enforcement effort from November 20 to December 4. Along with this campaign, Pennsylvania state […]
Pennsylvania State Police Target Underage Drinking
The Pennsylvania State Police announced plans to ramp up its focus on underage drinking in locations near colleges and universities across the state. Through the effort, state police officials are meeting with university administrators, campus police officers and bar and restaurant owners to educate them on ways that they can prevent underage drinking both on […]
Obtaining a Restricted Driver’s License in Pennsylvania
If you have had your driver’s license temporarily suspended in Pennsylvania, you may be wondering how you will be able to transport yourself to school or work. It’s important to know that you do have some options if you find yourself in this difficult situation. Pennsylvania law allows you to apply for a restricted driver’s […]
Benefits of Treatment Over Punishment When It Comes to Drug Crimes
Throughout Pennsylvania and across the country, increasing numbers of public officials are coming to the realization that prioritizing treatment over incarceration for drug offenders could save taxpayers billions of dollars in the long term. And, these efforts would likely benefit communities and actually improve public safety. According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, these cost […]
Quad State Legislative Conference Focuses on Justice Reform
Criminal justice reform was one of the primary areas of focus at the recent Quad-State Legislative Conference, which featured state legislators from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The annual conference, which took place in August, featured discussions on policy issues important to each state — and finding solutions to crime was determined to be […]
Gov. Wolf Aims to Decriminalize Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has joined an increasing number of public officials who support the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. During an interview on PBS affiliate WITF, Gov. Wolf said that arrests for possession of small amounts of the drug are “clogging up our prisons…and it’s hurting our economy.” He went on to say […]
State Records Office Seeks Access to Crime Scene Videos
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records is asking a judge to allow the agency access to video footage from state police, which is fighting the measure. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, state police officials believe it is within their legal right to withhold the videos from agencies such as the Office of Open Records, an […]
Officials Look at Better Ways to Manage Opioid Epidemic
A 75-member advisory group working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office is getting closer to unveiling an action plan to combat the opioid epidemic impact communities throughout Pennsylvania and across the country. The advisory group, which includes law enforcement officials, health experts and drug abuse prevention specialists (among other professionals), is working on a plan to […]
Sentencing Reform Advocates Call for Review of Pennsylvania Laws
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), a national organization that advocates for sentencing reform across the United States, has officially called for a review of how courts in Pennsylvania approach sentencing for individuals convicted of criminal offenses. According to an August news release, FAMM called on Pennsylvania’s Justice Reinvestment Working Group to examine and address how […]
