The Restoration Political Action Committee has launched a new TV ad across Pennsylvania slamming the state’s current attorney general and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro’s record on crime.
The PAC spent $800,000 for the ad to air on cable in Buffalo, Elmira, Erie, Harrisburg, Johnstown, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Wilkes-Barre, and Youngstown, and the ad will be broadcasted in Erie, Harrisburg, Johnstown, Pittsburg, and Wilkes-Barre.
"On Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s watch, crime isn’t just in cities anymore," the ad begins. "Since Shapiro took office, violent crime has exploded across the commonwealth."
"While crime got worse and violent protests devastated our communities, Josh Shapiro went soft on criminals and tough on police.
"Now, more police are leaving the job than ever before. More criminals, fewer cops," the ad continues, as footage of robberies, looting, and riots play in the background.
"If we can’t trust Josh Shapiro as attorney general, how can we trust him as governor?" the ad questions in conclusion.
Crime in major Pennsylvania cities has reached a point where the staple Philadelphia company Wawa has announced the closure of two City Center locations, citing "continued safety and security challenges and business factors."
In September, one Philadelphia Wawa was ransacked by a group of 100 people, many of whom were juveniles.
In a recent interview, Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano touched on this subject, saying "it’s a political earthquake."
"I mean, it’s an indictment of the failure of Josh Shapiro, the Democrat nominee for governor, that he has failed the people of the state and the people of Philadelphia in such an incredible way that the businesses, you know, this is a landmark in the southeast, Wawa, and if they have to shut down stores in the very busy area of Philadelphia because of lawlessness is an indictment on the failure and incompetence of Josh Shapiro," he added.
Mastriano continued on to slam Shapiro for being pro-defund the police, noting that his policies have resulted in a 500-officer shortage in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia has seen a massive spike in crime across the city over the last two years, with 422 homicides being reported so far this year. This is down from 2020, which saw 444 homicides year-to-date, but vastly up from 2020, which saw an uptick of 395 homicides year-to-date, according to Philadelphia Police Department statistics.
In total, violent crime offenses are up 4.39 percent year-to-date compared to last year, with property crimes skyrocketing by 30.11 percent.
