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Did the Pandemic Slow Crime in Pennsylvania?

Posted by Joseph D. Lento | Aug 04, 2020 | 0 Comments

As COVID-19 has swept across America, the nation has watched entire cities shut down and industries slow to a halt. People are attempting to resume everyday activities with masks and social distancing. Normal life looks very different in 2020, and the entire population is cultivating new habits to reflect that fact.

In Pennsylvania, it seems that another group of people may be heeding recommendations to stay at home. The number of criminal offenses in Pennsylvania has dropped. Why is this? Could the criminals in the Keystone State be taking a break?

Many Types of Crime May Be on Hiatus

The Pennsylvania State Police compared a week of crime data before the onset of the pandemic with a week after the outbreak. They found that instances of criminal offenses were significantly lowered:

  • DUIs have dropped by 71%
  • Property crimes, such as burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson, are down 91%
  • Overall, total criminal offenses have fallen by 89%

This downtrend in crime in Pennsylvania may indicate nationwide trends. The Police Executive Research Forum analyzed data from a one-month period early on in the pandemic. They found that the number of reported violent crimes in this time was fewer than in the same month in 2019. The Forum included data from several cities across the nation in their analysis.

To compare Pennsylvania to the rest of the nation, the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at UPenn examined criminal justice data from 26 American cities. Except for a peak of reported violence in June, crime levels dropped precipitously in March of 2020 in Philadelphia—just after the governor instated the stay-at-home order.

This Pennsylvanian city mirrors New York City in this regard but differs from other cities (such as Nashville, Minneapolis, and Fort Worth), whose crime rates did not fall in 2020.

Criminals May Stay at Home, but Justice Cannot Rest

Just because crime rates in Pennsylvania may experience a slower summer does not mean that the police and judicial system will be going off-duty. Nor does it mean that any individual can expect to be safe from violent crime during this pandemic. One Pennsylvania news station found that calls for service increased significantly due to the pandemic—rising from 20,500 calls per week prior to COVID-19 to almost 37,000.

Many people are nervous. Pennsylvania—and the nation—are on edge. These may create perfect conditions for unwarranted accusations. Innocent people can stand accused of crimes for many reasons. If you face accusations during this time, you may feel overwhelmed. The most important thing you can do is try to stay calm. Then, contact a knowledgeable attorney so you can be proactive about protecting your rights.

If you are facing accusations for a crime, call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 as early as you can. We can assist you with your best course of action.

About the Author

Joseph D. Lento

"I pride myself on having heart and driving hard to get results!" Attorney Joseph D. Lento passionately fights for the futures of his clients in criminal courtrooms in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania as well as in New Jersey and nationwide. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. With unparalleled experience occupying several roles in the criminal justice system outside of being an attorney, Joseph D. Lento can give you valuable behind-the-scenes insight as to what is happening during all phases of the legal process. Joseph D. Lento is licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, and is admitted pro hac vice as needed nationwide. In the courtroom and in life, attorney Joseph D. Lento stands up when the bell rings!

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The LLF Law Firm Team has decades of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the LLF Law Firm today! Our Criminal Defense Team will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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