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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Phyllis Mundy |
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Mundy urges immediate repair of SCI Dallas sirens, encourages residents to sign up for emergency alerts
HARRISBURG, April 14 – State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne, today urged the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to immediately repair broken emergency sirens at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) at Dallas.
"I was deeply troubled to learn after last week’s public meeting that two of the three sirens at SCI Dallas are not operational," Mundy said. "This is unacceptable, especially when the department is trying to reassure everyone that public safety will not be jeopardized by de-manning the prison towers."
The DOC announced plans in March to de-man the guard towers at SCI Dallas and four other state prisons, a move that is expected to save nearly $5 million in overtime costs.
Mundy, who has been in close contact with the department, has voiced strong concerns over the potential impact this decision could have on the community’s safety, as well as the ability of prison guards to safely perform their jobs. She also has asked for assurances that local municipalities and taxpayers will not be stuck paying the bill should an escape occur.
To ensure the community is adequately prepared, Mundy is also encouraging local residents to register for AlertPA, a free notification system that provides account holders with real-time updates by e-mail, phone or text message on prison-related emergencies. To subscribe to the system – which includes other types of advisories such as Amber Alerts – residents can visit the Commonwealth’s Web site at www.pa.gov and click on "Alerts Advisories" to begin the registration process.
Additionally, Mundy notes that residents who live within a 1- to 2-mile radius of SCI Dallas or who do not have Internet access can register free of charge for the RapidNotify system, which calls participating residents in the event of a prison-related emergency. Those wishing to enroll should contact the prison’s Critical Incident Manager at 675-1101.
"I share my constituents’ concerns about the safety of the community and will continue to be their voice at home and in Harrisburg on this and other issues," Mundy said.
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