Bucks Co. Crime Rise Topic Of House Hearing Thursday

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA —One week after lawmakers introduced legislation to curb crime seeping into Bucks County communities from Philadelphia, two state representatives will hold a hearing to address the issue.

State Reps. Kathleen "KC" Tomlinson and Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks) will host a House Republican Policy Committee hearing that was rescheduled to 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Northampton Township Building, 55 Township Rd. in Richboro.

Marcell and Tomlinson said the hearing will address "the critical issue of curbing the crime creep from Philadelphia into the collar counties" through collaboration and policy development.

Three Bucks County law enforcement leaders will also be at the hearing: William McVey, Bensalem's director of public safety, Northampton Township Police Chief Steven LeCompte, and Upper Southampton Township Police Chief Dominic Varacallo.

Last month, McVey penned a memo stating that Philadelphia was behind 40 percent of Bensalem Township's crimes.

Other participants include Jennifer Schorn, Bucks County First Assistant District Attorney, and Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran.

State Rep. Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, and Rudolph Mueller, security director of Bimbo Bakeries are also expected to attend.

On Monday, state Sen. Frank Farry, legislators, and local law enforcement gathered as six pieces of legislation were introduced to combat crime in Bucks County on everything from catalytic converter thefts to rioting, which has recently taken place in Philadelphia.