Governor Rendell Proclaims October As Crime Prevention Month In Pennsylvania

Press Release

Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed October as "Crime Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania and urged each citizen to help make communities safer places to live.

"Keeping our communities safe is the responsibility of each and every citizen," said Governor Rendell. "We can enhance public safety by becoming more involved within our communities, by promoting crime prevention efforts and working in tandem with law enforcement."

Pennsylvania encourages and promotes citizen volunteerism as one way to prevent crime. The National Crime Prevention Council developed "Crime Prevention Month" in 1984 to encourage grassroots collaboration efforts to prevent crime in all communities across the nation.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency leads the state's efforts in promoting citizen involvement in the fight against crime. On Oct. 29, PCCD will announce the winners of this year's Citizen Crime Prevention Volunteer Awards at the 27th Annual Governor's Awards for Outstanding Citizen Crime Prevention ceremony. The awards recognize individuals across Pennsylvania who have made outstanding contributions to community crime prevention.

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

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CRIME PREVENTION MONTH
October 2009

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 citizens' 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 foster collaborative partnerships with law enforcement agencies, schools, businesses and community members to eliminate and reduce crime, restore safety, security and community pride; 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 made 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, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim October 2009 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 tenth day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, and of the Commonwealth the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

EDWARD G. RENDELL, Governor

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