Pennsylvania’s Targeted Investments Are Driving Down Violent Crime – Inside Sources

Ensuring public safety is the government’s most fundamental responsibility. Americans need a criminal justice system that keeps their community safe by solving more crimes, guaranteeing swift justice for victims, and averting violence before it takes place. For too long, public debates have hinged on a false choice between supporting law enforcement and investing in local communities. Pennsylvania is rejecting that division. By pursuing a comprehensive, bipartisan strategy, the state’s leaders are proving that we can— and must — do both.

The results speak for themselves. Violent crime has dropped 16 percent statewide, and homicides are down 39 percent since Gov. Josh Shapiro took office in 2023. Pennsylvania’s new bipartisan budget doubles down on that progress — offering a promising blueprint for other state leaders who share a desire to deliver genuine, lasting safety.

Real public safety requires addressing the problems that lead to violent crime in the first place. In Pennsylvania, this means doubling state funding to the tune of $62 million for our Violence Intervention and Prevention program aimed at reducing gun violence. That includes $11.5 million for an out-of-school initiative called BOOST that helps keep kids supported and engaged year-round and gives them opportunities for growth and mentorship.

In the meantime, we have an ethical duty to support survivors when harm does occur. Expanding victim services isn’t just the right thing to do — it also helps break cycles of violence. With this goal in mind, Pennsylvania’s new budget secures $4.5 million for our Victims Compensation Assistance Program and provides a historic $12 million boost in funding for rape crisis centers, nearly doubling their overall support. It’s also why the state’s leaders have continued to call on Congress to enact critical reforms to stabilize Victims of Crime Act funding that serves as a backbone for Pennsylvania’s victims’ services programs.

Prevention is one part of the equation. We also need to ensure people are held accountable when they commit violent offenses — and that means adequately staffing police departments and other law enforcement agencies. Over the last four budgets, Pennsylvania has funded more than 2,000 additional local police officers and state troopers and supported law enforcement via hundreds of grants administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Beyond patrol officers, protecting communities from violent offenders demands experienced detectives equipped with the tools they need to properly investigate. Too many crimes remain unsolved — in cities and rural areas — and too many violent offenders evade justice. Lack of accountability emboldens repeat offenders, extends trauma for victims and their families, and can cause communities to lose faith in their local criminal justice system. Providing departments with the qualified manpower and technology to raise clearance rates will help break that cycle.

To that end, Pennsylvania’s new budget establishes the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Program. Backed by $2.5 million in new grant funding — and an additional $1 million gifted by Arnold Ventures philanthropy to help local agencies improve data reporting — this groundbreaking, bipartisan initiative helps local departments solve shootings, other violent crimes and cold cases.

The VICTIM program focuses on making policing more precise, efficient and effective. That includes upgrading technology to improve evidence analysis; supporting detective training and retention to keep caseloads manageable; improving data collection to track crime trends and guide resource deployment; building trust; and aiding investigations. When investigators work with manageable caseloads, they can follow leads more aggressively, deliver justice more swiftly, and bring closure to loved ones waiting for answers.

A clearer focus on modernizing Pennsylvania’s crime data reporting and technology is especially important for rural communities. Center for American Progress public safety experts recently analyzed FBI data and discovered a troubling gap. While homicides in urban Pennsylvania counties were 25.8 percent lower in 2025 than in 2019, homicides in rural counties saw a much smaller 2.5 percent decline. Small police departments often lack the budgets to obtain the newest crime tech tools. To ensure every community is protected regardless of size, the VICTIM program requires at least 10 percent of funds go directly to smaller, rural departments.

Improving police departments’ clearance rates and investing in modern, evidence-based policing isn’t partisan. States across the political spectrum are increasing their investments to help law enforcement solve violent crimes.

Pennsylvania’s bipartisan approach proves we can reduce violent crime rates without relying on the threat of lengthy prison sentences. By expanding community prevention programs, caring for survivors, funding local police, and upgrading investigative technology, we’ve found a model that works.

Leaders in every statehouse would do well to consider our blueprint.