Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams is joining prosecutors across Pennsylvania in urging state leaders to adopt a series of public safety policy changes aimed at addressing gun violence, victim services, and emerging drug concerns.
In a recent press release dated Feb. 19, Adams announced his support for a statewide call to action led by the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA), which recently sent a letter to Governor Josh Shapiro and members of the General Assembly outlining legislative priorities for the year. 
According to the release, prosecutors are asking lawmakers to work with the PDAA on policies designed to “better protect communities,” including measures focused on mental health treatment, recruitment and retention of prosecutors, and stronger regulations surrounding illegal drugs and firearms.
In the PDAA letter, prosecutors wrote that existing laws must evolve alongside current public safety challenges, emphasizing that law enforcement agencies are encountering more individuals with mental health needs and that prosecutorial offices face staffing shortages. The letter also highlights the need for additional funding for mental health and substance-use disorder treatment programs.
Adams said Berks County is facing many of the same issues identified statewide.
“Berks County faces many, if not all, the same threats to public safety outlined in PDAA’s letter, especially gun violence and juveniles and young adults having access to ‘switches’ which are Machine Gun Diversion Devices,” Adams said in the release. “Also, our county is home to many convenience stores and smoke shops selling illegal hemp products to minors. I stand with my colleagues in this urgent call to action.”
Among the policy recommendations, prosecutors are calling for a state-level ban on machine-gun conversion devices that allow semi-automatic firearms to fire automatically. They are also seeking clearer regulations and potential taxation of skill game machines and legislation that would define “swatting” — making a false 911 call to provoke a large police response — as a felony offense.
The proposal also focuses on expanding support for victims. The PDAA is advocating for increased funding for Child Advocacy Centers, updates to the Pennsylvania Older Adults Protective Services Act to address evolving elder abuse threats, and replacement funding for programs affected by reductions to the federal Crime Victims Fund.
Drug policy changes are another key component of the request. Prosecutors are asking lawmakers to establish clear THC limits and regulatory standards for hemp products, create a statewide cannabis regulatory board, and set the minimum age for purchasing hemp products at 21.
PDAA Executive Director Kelly Callihan said the organization is prepared to work with state leaders on the proposals.
“We are committed to collaborating with the governor and lawmakers to advance these priorities and address the evolving threats facing Pennsylvania communities,” Callihan said.
The association’s letter, dated Feb. 11, concludes by asking state officials to partner with prosecutors to develop solutions addressing what it describes as critical public safety needs across the Commonwealth.
