Governor Shapiro believes Pennsylvanians deserve to be safe and feel safe in this communities, and he is working to build safer communities by supporting the work of law enforcement and first responders, investing in our communities, promoting anti-violence initiatives, and pursuing smart reforms to keep people safe across the Commonwealth.
The Governor is ensuring that Pennsylvania police departments were well-funded, well-staffed, well-trained, and well-equipped:
Secured new funding for the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) while reducing PSP’s reliance on gas tax revenue by $125 million annually over the next four years.
Succeeded in obtaining new funding for four trooper cadet classes in 2023-24 to train 384 new troopers, filling staffing gaps and ensuring that the Pennsylvania State Police are well-funded and well-trained.
Removed the Pennsylvania State Police’s 60 college credit requirement for cadet applications, expanding opportunities for individuals seeking careers at state troopers.
Fully implemented body camera technology for the Pennsylvania Capitol Police and initiated a new body camera pilot program for the Pennsylvania State Police.
The Shapiro administration prioritized public safety by supporting commonsense legislation and taking illicit drugs off the streets:
Supported the House’s two bipartisan, commonsense gun reform bills to keep Pennsylvanians safe. The bills, H.B. 714 and H.B. 1018, would require universal background checks on all gun purchases, close the gun show loophole, and establish extreme risk protection orders.
Took $30 million worth of illegal drugs, including heroin and fentanyl, off the streets through the Pennsylvania State Police.
In response to historic increases in reported xylazine-related overdose deaths, the Governor directed his administration to schedule the powerful sedative as a Schedule III controlled substance to increase safeguards against theft and diversion.
“District attorneys across Pennsylvania are grateful that this illicit dangerous drug, xylazine, is being scheduled as a controlled substance. […] Scheduling xylazine will allow law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate and hold drug traffickers seeking to sell it in our communities, often to unsuspecting users, accountable.”
Greg Rowe, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association
This Administration invested tens of millions of dollars in public safety and violence intervention and prevention grants:
Appointed Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis as the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Signed the FY2023-24 budget that provided $40 million for the Violence Intervention and Prevention program, a $10 million increase from the prior year – to address community violence.
Signed the FY2023-24 budget with a $250,000 increase to support the It’s On Us PA initiative that aims to keep college students across Pennsylvania safe from campus sexual assault.
