Pennsylvania's Long Arm of the Law Could Stretch into Neighboring States

Corbett Administration Works to Share Data to Better Track Offenders

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the direction of Governor Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania is working with neighboring states to share information about violent or potentially violent offenders who move or travel from one jurisdiction to another.

Representatives of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, State Police and the Board of Probation and Parole met yesterday with officials from Maryland and West Virginia to discuss using innovative technology to share timely and accurate information about dangerous offenders.

"Criminals are finding new ways every day to break the law and law enforcement must continue to find ways to keep one step ahead of them,'' Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said. "This cross-border collaboration between state police organizations highlights the importance of partnerships between state law enforcement authorities to tackle criminal activities that know no borders."

"The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has made tremendous strides to improve communication about offenders among state, local and regional law enforcement agencies," said PCCD Chairman Mark Zimmer. "We're expanding that effort by working with our neighbors in other states to do the same.

"Criminals and their illegal activities cross and re-cross state lines constantly," Zimmer added. "We will have the capability to monitor such activity while working together with our colleagues from neighboring states."

The new cross-border partnership will enable law enforcement and parole and probation officials in participating states to exchange information with one another on arrests. The joint venture will make it possible for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, or PBPP, to take appropriate action if the offender violates the terms of his or her release.

"Using technology to share information about offenders under the Board's supervision will help to make communities safer," said PBPP Chairman Michael Potteiger. "We'll now know more quickly when a parolee has violated the law in order for parole agents to take the appropriate action."

In addition to Noonan and Potteiger, Linda Rosenberg, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, also attended.

A June summit is planned to discuss regional information-sharing opportunities with leaders from Delaware, Washington, D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. 

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's mission is to enhance the quality and coordination of criminal and juvenile justice systems, to facilitate the delivery of services to victims of crime, and to increase the safety of the state's communities.

For more information about PCCD, visit www.pccd.state.pa.us or call 717-705-0888. To learn more about State Police, visit www.psp.state.pa.us. Visit the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole online at www.pbpp.state.pa.us.

Media contacts:
Melanie Horvath, PCCD, 717-265-8470
Maria Finn, PA State Police, 717-783-5556
Sherry Tate, PA Probation and Parole, 717-787-6208

                   

SOURCE Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency