'Curb Crime Creep' From Philadelphia: Bucks Co. Lawmakers Say

BUCKS COUNTY, PA —County officials and law enforcement will join forces Thursday to hold a press conference to address the "evolving crime" in the Philadelphia suburbs and Pennsylvania.

The press conference Thursday morning at the Northampton Township Police Department will highlight crime legislation by state Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) and state Reps. Kathleen "KC" Tomlinson, Kristin Marcell, Shelby Labs, and Joe Hogan to include mandatory minimums for illegal possession of firearms, cracking down on porch pirates, reducing catalytic converter thefts, increasing penalties for gun store robberies, and putting the brakes on vehicle meet-up rallies.

Marcell and Tomlinson (R-Bucks) said the House Republican Policy Committee 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.