Tuesday, January 27, 2009
GPCC Donation Kicks Off Police Statute Public Information Campaign
Posted at 4:00 PM
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark S. Schweiker presented Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell with $15,000 today to kick-off his Police Statute Public Information Campaign.
The funds were raised by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (GPCC), Allied Barton and the Philadelphia Police Foundation for the Governor’s new initiative to inform the public about a statute passed in the fall meant to protect the law enforcement officers who protect our communities. Governor Rendell also announced that Wawa, Inc. donated $10,000 for the campaign.
The legislation mandates a minimum 20-year sentence for anyone who intentionally shoots, or shoots at, an on-duty police officer; and imposes longer prison terms for other gun-related offenses.
“There were 319 firearm assaults on law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania in 2007 – an astounding 82% jump from 2002 and far more than the national increase of 13%,” said Schweiker. “We want our police officers to know that we appreciate the valiant work they do, not only in Philadelphia, but in the commonwealth and throughout our region.”
“We are pleased to participate in this effort to tell the public that the consequences are guaranteed to be severe if they assault a police officer,” said David L. Cohen, Chairman of the GPCC Board of Directors and Executive Vice President of Comcast Corporation. “This support is another example of how the business community can work in concert with government to help improve the quality of life in our region.”
Comcast will make available time for the Public Service Announcements, Cohen added.
In addition, the GPCC Regional Foundation traditionally contributes to support the families of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
The Information Campaign donation followed the third annual “A Conversation with the Governor” event hosted by the GPCC, in partnership with Sovereign Bank and WHYY, at the Kimmel Center before an audience of more than 400 business executives.
To learn more about the Police Statute Public Information Campaign, call Alex Ficken at (215) 560-2640.
To view a video clip from the “A Conversation with the Governor” event, click here.