Citing three attacks in a recent 10-day period on the SEPTA underground system, state Rep. John Perzel is again calling for a vote on his bill that would lead to the hiring of up to 10,000 police officers across Pennsylvania.
The Commonwealth Officers Act is stuck in the House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Rep. Dwight Evans.
"How many subway beatings will it take for the chairman to see the wisdom of my legislation?" Perzel asked. "Instead of jockeying for political advantage, I urge chairman Evans and the Democrat leadership to put the political gamesmanship aside and act in the interest of the people we represent."
Perzel (R-172nd dist.) held a news conference last week in the board room of SEPTA headquarters at 1234 Market St. He was joined by Rep. John Taylor (R-177th dist.) and three SEPTA board members — Pat Deon, Tom Ellis and Christian DiCicco.
Deon, the board chairman, said SEPTA has a relatively low number of incidents compared to the high number of riders who use the system. He credited the transit agency’s police force with doing a good job, but he thinks the officers could use help. He backs Perzel’s bill.
"We think this is a great first step," he said.
Ellis and DiCicco are both running for office. DiCicco is challenging state Rep. Bill Keller in next week’s Democratic primary in a South Philadelphia district. Ellis is the Republican candidate for state treasurer.
A lawyer who has worked with the Center City District — a privately sponsored organization that promotes the downtown area — Ellis knows the importance of cleanliness and safety in attracting visitors. He remembers the significant police presence during the Republican National Convention in 2000, when out-of-towners freely walked the streets late at night.
The same goes for SEPTA, Ellis argues. At a time when gasoline prices are high, more people are using public transportation. They’d feel safer, he believes, if they see police officers on platforms.
But Perzel’s bill isn’t close to passage.
"It’s dying," the lawmaker acknowledged.
The most high-profile of the recent attacks occurred on March 26 when a group of teenagers beat Sean Conroy at the 13th Street station of the Market-Frankford Subway. Conroy died from the attacks.
Perzel said some of the police officers hired under his proposal would work with SEPTA police officers, whom he praised for doing a good job.
"They need even more help," he said.
Under the proposal, the state would pay half the cost of hiring the officers. The money could also be used for recruiting, training and equipment. In Philadelphia, more than 1,300 officers would be hired.
In the first year, the state would provide about $60 million, mostly paid for by the Republican and Democratic House and Senate caucuses and state administration budget.
Perzel wants Pennsylvania to follow the New York City model. The Big Apple hired more police officers and saw its murder rate plummet.
The bill passed the House of Representatives in 2006, when Perzel was speaker. Last October, it unanimously passed the House Judiciary Committee.
Supporters think there would be plenty of support if it comes to a full vote in the House.
"It will pass," Taylor predicted.
Taylor (R-177th dist.) added that the Senate would probably pass the measure, but he wasn’t sure if it would be signed into law.
Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat and former mayor of Philadelphia, has said the proposal is too costly. Evans (D-203rd dist.) has said that Perzel is underestimating the true cost and that rural areas would be aided more than cities. He also wonders why Perzel did not act when Republicans were in charge from 1995 to 2006.
House Speaker Dennis O’Brien (R-169th dist.) favors a more systemic approach to crime fighting.
Taylor criticized House leaders for scheduling votes on gun bills earlier this year, only to postpone them so members could attend a rally for presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Those bills — such as ones to limit handgun purchases to one a month and allow Philadelphia to make its own gun laws — were designed simply to get recorded votes, according to Taylor. He said they make for "great brochures" at election time.
"This is way more important," he said of the Perzel proposal.
In Taylor’s opinion, hiring more officers would allow police departments to crack down on straw gun purchasers — those people who legally buy weapons for felons who are prohibited from making such purchases. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com