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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski |
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Pashinski to introduce anti-crime bills
HARRISBURG, March 19 – State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, plans to introduce two separate anti-crime bills that would require better monitoring of pre-paid cell phone purchases for potential criminal activity and stricter sentencing for people convicted of certain crimes in Pennsylvania.
The first bill would require individuals purchasing prepaid cell phone cards to provide two forms of identification when they purchase three or more prepaid cell phones or when they purchase a pre-paid cell phone with cash. The bill would also require retail stores to maintain the information and provide it to state police on a quarterly basis.
"My intent is not to limit people's ability to buy prepaid cell phones, but to help police monitor prepaid cell phones in an effort to deter criminal activity," Pashinski said.
Under the bill, retailers or people who buy prepaid phones using false identification would be fined up to $1,000 if they violate the identification and reporting requirements of the legislation.
The second bill would require mandatory sentencing and fines for individuals convicted of graffiti violations. The number of hours for supervised community service and amount of the fine would depend on the extent of property damage from the graffiti.
"Graffiti continues to be a nuisance in our neighborhoods, towns and cities," Pashinski said. "My proposal is intended to decrease or even deter the amount of graffiti spray-painted on buildings across the state."
The legislation would also require violators to restore or repair graffiti-damaged property, provided the location is safe.
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