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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jennifer L. Mann |
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Mann introduces legislation to increase penalties for gang activity
HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – State Rep. Jennifer L. Mann, D-Lehigh, has introduced legislation (H.B. 2111) that would amend Pennsylvania law to better define “criminal gang activity” and add it as a punishable offense.
The bill would include a legal definition of “criminal gang,” impose stricter penalties and provide that any additional sentences imposed for violating the law would have to be served one after the other instead of concurrently. Mann, who worked on the legislation for a number of years, said the legislation is a necessity in halting the rise of gangs throughout the state. “The rise in gang activity in Allentown and other Pennsylvania cities is an indication of the need for this legislation,” Mann said. “This is an important provision that would give more leverage to law enforcement as they work to crack down on illegal gang activity.” Under the bill, a person would engage in criminal gang activity if he or she knowingly engages minors in gang-related activity or commits a gang-related crime for the benefit of the gang within 1,000 feet of a public elementary, vocational, junior high or high school, public housing project, public park, community recreation center or school bus stop. The bill would also consider solicitation or recruitment as a criminal activity.
A first-time offense would result in a first-degree misdemeanor with a sentence of up to five years and a maximum fine of $10,000; a third-degree felony would result in a sentence of up to seven years and a maximum fine of $15,000.
“We need to let gang members know that we’re not going to tolerate their activities or allow them to influence or recruit younger kids to join them,” Mann said. The bill is currently under consideration by the House Judiciary Committee.
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CONTACT: Victoria L.
Stanish
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