Kelly, Mackenzie urge Gov. Shapiro to preserve law enforcement communication access

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This week, U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (PA-16) and Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07) led members of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation in urging Governor Josh Shapiro to preserve Pennsylvania's participation in the International Justice & Public Safety Network (formerly known as the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, or Nlets), a critical information-sharing system used by law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Joining Reps. Kelly and Mackenzie on the letter are Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Congressman Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), Congressman Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10), Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09), Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).

"Nlets works to connect local law enforcement with federal agencies. As the federal government cracks down on illegal immigration and crime in cities nationwide, including right here in Pennsylvania, it's imperative that our local and federal agencies have the ability to work together quickly and efficiently," said Rep. Kelly.

"Any move to restrict law enforcement's access to vital information-sharing systems would endanger our communities," said Congressman Mackenzie. "Nlets is a proven tool that helps law enforcement apprehend dangerous criminals and keeps Pennsylvanians safe. Restricting access would empower criminal illegal aliens at the expense of Pennsylvania families."

"The International Justice & Public Safety Network has been an effective resource for law enforcement agencies at every level," said Congressman Thompson. "Sharing secure information helps law enforcement apprehend fugitives and supports efforts in missing persons cases. Any restrictions to these programs will hinder the efforts of law enforcement to keep Pennsylvania safe."

"Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our Commonwealth and keep dangerous criminals off our streets. Efforts by far-left Democrats to shield criminal illegal aliens and restrict Pennsylvania's participation in Nlets undermine public safety," said Congressman Reschenthaler. "I am proud to join my Pennsylvania Republican colleagues in urging Governor Shapiro to continue the Commonwealth's participation in this critical public safety program."

"As a former law enforcement professional and FBI agent, I know that investigations succeed or fail in real time, based on timely and accurate information," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "Nlets provides the data that officers depend on every day in the field. Limiting access would slow apprehensions, disrupt multi-agency investigations, and needlessly increase risk to officer safety and the public, without any public-safety benefits. This would be a step backward for law enforcement and a risk Pennsylvania should not take."

"The only constituency that Governor Shapiro cares about are illegal aliens bankrupting Pennsylvania Taxpayers by abusing our generous welfare system. Cutting off Pennsylvania from Nlets, a secure and effective public safety database that's over half a century old, proves once again that our governor is more concerned with protecting criminal aliens from Immigration and Customs Enforcement than he is in protecting Commonwealth Citizens from violent felons. Governor Shapiro should have our federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies' backs - instead of stabbing them in the back," said Congressman Perry.

BACKGROUND

Nlets is a secure, state-managed law enforcement network connecting more than 45,000 agencies nationwide, allowing officers to quickly share critical public-safety information such as driver's license data, vehicle registrations, criminal histories, and warrants. In November, a group of Democrats urged Governor Shapiro to restrict Nlets information from being shared with certain federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE, HSI, and U.S. Border Patrol. Any attempt to limit federal access to Nlets would slow investigations, disrupt real-time coordination between agencies, and put additional strain on state and local law enforcement without improving public safety.

The Members urged Governor Shapiro to reject any effort to politicize public safety and to continue Pennsylvania's full participation in Nlets to ensure law enforcement officers have the tools they need to keep Pennsylvanians safe.

To read the full text of the letter, click HERE.