Pennsylvania House forms bipartisan committee to investigate Philadelphia progressive prosecutor

The Pennsylvania State House has created a bipartisan committee to investigate a crime spree in Philadelphia, the state’s largest city.

Part of the effort includes allowing the committee to subpoena witnesses and documents from the office of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a frontline figure in the national progressive prosecutor movement, according to the Epoch Times. 

Under Krasner, Philadelphia’s murders increased to from 353 in 2018 to 562 in 2021 – the deadliest year in Philadelphia history.

This year, Philadelphia’s violent crime has risen by 8% and property crime by 30%, compared to 2021, according to the latest crime data by Philadelphia Police Department reviewed by the Epoch Times.

The committee can make evidence-based recommendations up to the impeachment of Krasner.

In addition to investigating Krasner’s office, the committee will also look into judges’ sentencing decisions and city hall’s spending on law enforcement.

Last month, San Francisco voters ousted their progressive prosecutor, Chesa Boudin.

In Los Angeles, voters are also working to recall George Gascón. However, Pennsylvania doesn’t have recall elections. 

Krasner’s signature policies include no prosecution for many low-level crimes, no cash bail recommendations for a wide range of misdemeanors and felonies, and reduced sentencing guidelines in plea bargains, according to a review of the office’s policy memos.