Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights New Bipartisan Program Designed to Help Police Departments Solve Violent Crimes and Cold Cases, Make Communities Safer

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August 04, 2026 - Philadelphia, PA

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights New Bipartisan Program Designed to Help Police Departments Solve Violent Crimes and Cold Cases, Make Communities Safer

Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis was joined by legislators from both sides of the aisle to highlight new funding in the 2026-27 budget to create the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Program, designed to help local police departments solve cold cases, homicides, and other violent crimes.

The Commonwealth's $2.5 million investment in the new program will be matched with $1 million in philanthropic dollars from Arnold Ventures. The grants will be awarded through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), which is also led by Lt. Gov. Davis.

"Statewide, violent crime is down 16 percent since we took office," said Lt. Gov. Davis. "But we can't truly celebrate, while so many families are still mourning, still grieving, still waiting for justice. That's why I'm proud to highlight a new investment coming from our bipartisan budget - the VICTIM Program. We're funding this new program with $2.5 million for grants to local law enforcement, with the intention of helping them solve homicides and other violent crimes."

List of Speakers:
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis
State Rep. Jordan Harris, majority chair of the House Appropriations Committee
Rep. Tim Briggs
Sen. Joe Picozzi
Kevin J. Bethel, Philadelphia Police Commissioner
Adara Combs, executive director of Philadelphia's Office of Victim Advocate
Julia Robbins, Mother of a Victim of Violence
Natasha McGlynn, Executive Director of the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia
Kevin Ring, Vice President of Criminal Justice Advocacy at Arnold Ventures

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