PCCD Chairman Encourages Citizens to Make Communities Safer

October is Crime Prevention Month in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Every Pennsylvania resident can play a stronger role in making their community a safer place, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Chairman Walter M. Phillips Jr. said today, noting that Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed October as "Crime Prevention Month."

"Each of us can do our part to enhance public safety by preventing crime in our communities and working with law enforcement," said Phillips. "This grassroots partnership results in safer cities and towns."

PCCD leads Pennsylvania's efforts to promote citizen involvement in the fight against crime.

On Friday, Oct. 22, PCCD will announce the winners of this year's Citizen Crime Prevention Volunteer Awards at the 28th Annual Governor's Awards for Outstanding Citizen Crime Prevention ceremony. The awards recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to community crime prevention in the state.

PCCD collaborates with state and local agencies and officials, victim service providers, juvenile and criminal justice agencies, community-based organizations and others to prevent crime, strengthen communities, provide essential support to law enforcement agencies and assist victims of crime.

For more information on PCCD, visit www.pccd.state.pa.us  or call 717-705-0888.

Media contact: Tara Mead, 717-265-8470

Editor's Note: Text of the Governor's proclamation follows:

Crime Prevention Month - October 2010

Whereas, The citizens of our commonwealth have the right to live in, work in, and enjoy safe and secure communities; and,

Whereas, crime, in its many forms, undermines a citizen's security and weakens communities by instilling fear and generating an overall feeling of powerlessness; and,

Whereas, one of the most effective ways to combat this problem is to support collaborative partnerships with law enforcement agencies, schools, businesses and community members, with the overall goals of eliminating and reducing crime, restoring safety, security and community pride; and,

Whereas, successful crime prevention programs promote volunteerism and encourage citizens from diverse backgrounds to work together to make crime a difficult and profitless proposition; and,

Whereas, it is imperative that we, as Commonwealth citizens, increase our involvement in and commitment to crime prevention and community service programs statewide; and,

Whereas, we recognize the outstanding contributions by community volunteers and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's statewide crime prevention program.

Therefore, to highlight the importance of crime prevention and the necessity for public involvement in crime prevention programs statewide, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim October 2010 as CRIME PREVENTION MONTH in Pennsylvania, and encourage all Pennsylvanians to support and participate in crime prevention efforts across our Commonwealth.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this twenty-fifth day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and ten, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

Edward G. Rendell, Governor

SOURCE Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency