Memo to PA Senate Members

Senator Mike Waugh of York County is circulating for co-sponsorship legislation he previously authored last session, Senate Bill 957, to address the increase of bank robberies occurring in Pennsylvania. Senator Waugh’s proposal ensures that in bank robberies where no weapon is used, the crime will be treated as a felony of the second degree if the guilty party “takes or removes the money of a financial institution without the permission of the financial institution by making a demand of an employee of the financial institution orally or in writing.”

Senate Bill 957 previously passed the Senate last session and we commend Senator Waugh for his leadership in addressing this important issue.

Statistics from the FBI demonstrate that bank robberies in Pennsylvania are on the rise. One reason for this is that the FBI in recent years has had other enforcement priorities and has declined primary investigatory and prosecution responsibility and has delegated this responsibility to the states. As a result of this new reality, we believe it is time to increase the state penalties for this crime and work to make our financial institutions a safer place for customers and employees and their communities.

We urge you to consider co-sponsoring this proposal.

Please feel free to contact me or Dave Transue, PACB’s Government Affairs Consultant, if you have any questions. Thank you for your consideration.