Central Bucks Today

Rep. Shelby Labs (R-Bucks) and the House Republican Policy Committee, under the leadership of Vice Chairman Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland), recently held a hearing to address stalking issues. The session aimed to enhance awareness of stalking's various forms and identify legal gaps that hinder law enforcement intervention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three women and one in six men in the United States experience stalking.

The hearing, titled “Protecting Victims: Solutions to Combat Stalking,” was conducted at the Upper Bucks Technical School. Testifiers included Nicholas Virnelson, interim chief of Bedminster Township Police Department; Matthew Phelan, retired police chief of Bedminster Township Police Department; Jennifer Schorn, district attorney of Bucks County; Gayle Marinelli, a local resident from Bucks County; and Laurie Hepler, a civilian community relations specialist and victim advocate with the Bedminster Township Police Department.

Jennifer Schorn shared her experience as a prosecutor: “I have been a prosecutor in this county for 25 years and there have been cases where we have been unable to prosecute,” she said. “These victims have suffered through those criminal acts without law enforcement or the prosecution being able to do anything to protect them, and that’s just appalling.”

Recognizing the need for improved legislation on stalking in Pennsylvania, Rep. Labs has developed a legislative package aimed at better protecting victims from such crimes. This package is set to be introduced later this month.

“This hearing was crucial in order to raise awareness and identify where shortfalls exist in combatting stalking in Pennsylvania,” Labs stated. “My priority is to strengthen the law and provide law enforcement with the tools it needs to effectively combat this criminal behavior, protect our communities and empower victims of stalking.”

Schorn emphasized the importance of these changes: “The proposed changes to the statute are relatively simple,” she continued. “But absolutely life-altering for our ability to investigate and prosecute these crimes.”

Vice Chairman Ecker added his perspective: “We must deliver hope to all Pennsylvanians that crime is not a constant in Pennsylvania,” he said. “We are standing strong to protect everyone in every community, and we are grateful for everything Pennsylvania law enforcement does to keep our citizens safe from the harms of stalking.”

For more information or to view the complete hearing video.