Office of Speaker Dennis M. O’Brien

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

139 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        CONTACT:  Bill Patton

                                                                                                                                   717-787-4610

O’Brien convenes stakeholders to discuss crime and violence

HARRISBURG, Sept. 6 – Fulfilling a pledge he made to House colleagues, Speaker Dennis O’Brien is leading a series of discussions about crime and violence with a goal of identifying violence reduction measures that can advance in the current political climate.

During a pause from voting on bills on June 27, almost 20 lawmakers addressed the House for two hours about the terrible toll exacted by gun violence in Pennsylvania, especially in Philadelphia and other cities.

O’Brien was impressed by the tenor of that conversation during which legislators with diverse political philosophies expressed themselves honestly and listened respectfully to other views.

“As these legislators spoke, it became clear to me that in the midst of our many differences something was changing,” O’Brien said. “There is a refreshing new acknowledgement that issues of crime and violence connect all Pennsylvanians – no matter where they live. As legislators, we have a joint duty to respond.”

At the end of that discussion, the Speaker announced his intention to keep the conversation going with the expressed goal of identifying real-world solutions that might overcome the deep divisions that permeate most legislative and political discussions about links between firearms and crime.

After the House recessed for the summer in mid-July, O’Brien issued an open invitation to House members, experts and other stakeholders to participate in a series of work group discussions about crime and violence.

During a work group meeting last week, O’Brien heard from more than 30 speakers about the impact of drug and alcohol dependence and behavioral health issues on violent crime.

Upcoming work groups will focus on criminal justice issues; links between education, economics and crime; and finally community outreach and investment in lives.

“The work group design allows us to share ideas in an open and dynamic forum,” O’Brien said. “It’s less rigid and more collaborative. Most importantly, it allows more voices to be heard.”

This fall, O’Brien will synthesize the recommendations of all the work groups by convening the Speaker’s Symposium on Crime and Violence. The symposium is intended to reach consensus and recommend changes in government operations and legislative action that will offer specific solutions for reducing violent crime.

“The regular committee process in the General Assembly is a valuable and time-tested way of producing legislation,” Speaker O’Brien said. “But it’s not always the best way to advance ideas when opposing sides are dug in. The result in that situation is often no result at all.

“My hope is that by building on the good-faith efforts already undertaken by concerned House members, this alternative process of building consensus will help us to find some solutions that can start to reduce the deaths and injuries caused by gun violence and other crimes,” he said.

The date and location of the symposium are not yet selected and will be announced when confirmed.

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