How has the coronavirus pandemic affected crime rates in Pennsylvania?
Criminal offenses, property crimes, crashes and arrests have plunged in the Keystone State as millions of Pennsylvanians have been ordered to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Criminal offenses reported by state police between March 28 and April 3 were down 89% when compared to offenses reported between Feb. 22-28 — a “pre-COVID-19 baseline,” Communications Director Ryan Tarkowski wrote in an email.
Property crimes were down 91% during the same period, while crashes and arrests were down 75% and 76%, respectively, Tarkowski wrote.
Decreases have also been reported by state police at Rockview, though state police trooper Christopher Fox said he was not authorized to offer statistics.
Municipal police departments in Centre County were not immediately able to provide statistics about decreases locally, but only two criminal cases were filed between March 30 and April 5 in Centre County.
That’s partially by design.
Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna requested police delay the filing of non-violent, minor charges after Penn State canceled in-person classes through at least the spring semester.
Cantorna said he did not want to “clog the court system,” which the state Supreme Court ordered to remain largely closed to the public through at least April 30.
Officers haven’t been left twiddling their thumbs despite filing fewer criminal charges.
State College police officers responded to a “few” gatherings that have not complied with the state Department of Health’s social distancing request, but no enforcement action has been taken, Lt. Greg Brauser said Wednesday.
“In residences with multiple tenants, they are not leaving their own property and there is no enforcement that can be taken,” Brauser said. “Police action is taken when actual violations are observed.”
State police officers have also been logging more activity, as calls for service are up 43%, Tarkowski wrote. Those calls include any call from the public and any activity initiated by an officer, like checking on closed schools and businesses.
Officers are making an effort to be visible at the few remaining places that have a high-volume of people, like grocery stores and shopping centers, Tarkowski wrote.
Some officers, like criminal investigators, have even swapped plain clothes for a uniform to increase their visibility.
“The impact of COVID-19 is far-reaching, and we are working hard to adapt,” Tarkowski wrote. “The most important thing ... to know is that PSP has the personnel, equipment and plans in place to respond to emergencies and other critical incidents.”
County officials are also trying to minimize the chance of an outbreak in the Centre County Correctional Facility. Several inmates were released on parole to mitigate potential spread, Cantorna said.
“Police are being very careful and only arresting people if they have to,” Cantorna said Tuesday. “We want to have a clearer picture from a public health standpoint.”
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 1:53 PM.