Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta and other prosecutors from around the state have asked Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania legislature to help them protect communities by enacting or amending laws related to a variety of issues.<\/p>\n
A Feb. 19 letter by the group specifically requested that legislators and the governor work collaboratively to address the following crime and public safety matters:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Guns \u2013 Enact a state-level ban on machine gun conversion devices.
\u2022 Skill Games \u2013 Levy a tax and regulate skill game machines, which have proliferated in convenience stores and other places.
\u2022 Swatting \u2013 Make the intentional act of making a false 911 call a felony.
\u2022 Children \u2013 Expand support for the state\u2019s Child Advocacy centers.
\u2022 Seniors \u2013 Update the Pennsylvania Older Adults Protective Services Act to help prevent elder abuse.
\u2022 Victims of Crime \u2013 Provide funding to fill a gap left by federal cuts to the Crime Victims Fund.
\u2022 Hemp \u2013 Set the minimum age for purchasing hemp products at 21.
\u2022 Cannabis \u2013 Create a cannabis regulation board. Define clear THC limits and regulate marijuana-like products, including hemp.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur laws need to match the realities we face,\u201d the letter from the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association said. \u201cProsecutors need the right tools to promote public safety and prevent violence, protect and support victims of all ages, keep illegal drugs off the streets and away from our kids, and keep Pennsylvania families safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
A news release noted that the letter also stressed the need for increased funding for mental health and substance abuse treatment, as well as support for recruiting and retaining prosecutors.<\/p>\n
\u201cNorthampton County faces many, if not all, the same threats to public safety outlined in PDAA\u2019s letter, especially Child
Abuse and Exploitation and Physical and Financial Elder Abuse,\u201d Baratta said in a statement. \u201cThese personal and financial injury crimes against the most vulnerable members of our community are a priority for this office.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also committed to providing robust services to all of our victims of crime,\u201d he added. \u201cI stand with my colleagues in this urgent call to action.\u201d<\/p>\n