HARRISBURG — Senator Lisa Baker, R-20, has sent letters to the chairmen of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Senate Law and Justice Committee requesting a joint public hearing be held in northeastern Pennsylvania to explore improvements to the state and local emergency response networks.
The request comes a month into the search for Eric Matthew Frein, who is accused of fatally shooting one state trooper and injuring another during an ambush attack at the Blooming Grove State Police Station in Pike County on Sept, 12. The manhunt for Frein has involved hundreds of local, state and federal law enforcement agents searching portions of Pike and Monroe counties.
Baker, in her letter to the chairmen, said the hearing is not meant to “find fault, but instead to offer a realistic assessment of what we know, and what we might take into account in the future. Such a forum provides a path to positive action in response to lessons learned.”
The hearing, Baker notes, should be held in Pike County when the manhunt has ended and could include a review of officer safety needs and barracks assessments; state police incident response; communication policies including reverse 911 and shelter-in-place directives.; and the experiences of innocent citizens whose lives are affected, among other matters.
A copy of the letter is included with this release.
Letter Requesting Joint Senate Committee Hearing
Contact:
Andrew M. Seder
570-226-5960
aseder@pasen.gov