Pennsylvania Game News - March 2020 - 56

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Commission's social-media pages
showed that many were keeping track of
the case as the investigation continued.
Some expressed frustration with the
length of time it took for charges to be
filed, but in cases where charges likely
are to be brought under the state's
Game and Wildlife Code, it's important
to complete a thorough investigation
before filing any charges because a
hearing on the charges might be held
soon afterward, and the case closed
permanently.
Even in this case, where there was
video of an unlawful act, investigators
had to determine it happened
in Pennsylvania, where the Game
Commission has authority to file charges,
as well as collect evidence to prove the
teens committed the act and posted the
videos.
"It's easy to understand why people
were outraged by the incident,"
P e n n s y l va n i a B o a r d o f G a m e

Commissioners President Tim Layton
said. "But the worst-case scenario would
have been rushing the investigation and
heading into court with a case that wasn't
as strong as it could have been.
"Complicated investigations take
time, and on behalf of the Board of
Game Commissioners, I would like to
commend the Game Commission, its
Northwest Region Office and all of the
game wardens who investigated the
matter in cooperation with Pennsylvania
State Police, local law-enforcement and
the Jefferson County District Attorney's
office. It's a difficult job, and you do it
extremely well."
Jefferson County District Attorney
Jeff Burkett also spoke of the length
of time it takes to complete a thorough
investigation.
"Obviously, this case has generated a
large amount of public outcry," Burkett
said. "People have assumed that officers
have been dragging their feet when,
actually, the opposite is true. They have
put a lot of hard work in on this case in
order to present the case for prosecution.
I commend the Pennsylvania Game
Commission for their efforts in this
matter."

KEEP PENNSYLVANIA BEAUTIFUL
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is asking all
outdoor enthusiasts to participate in Pick Up
Pennsylvania, an annual event supporting the
Great American Cleanup through May 31. You
can help by picking up any litter you encounter
while enjoying your favorite outdoor activity.
You can also organize a registered event.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful partners with
PennDOT, the Department of Environmental
Protection, and Keep America Beautiful to
provide free trash bags, gloves and safety vests
to registered participants while supplies last.

56

T h e Pe n n sy l va n i a D e p a r t m e nt o f
Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania
Waste Industries Association will sponsor Let's
Pick It Up PA everyday from April 1-30 when
registered cleanups are eligible to take their
trash to participating landfills free of charge
or for a reduced rate. To register, go to www.
gacofpa.org.
For more information, contact Michelle
Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania Program
Coordinator, at 1-877-772-3673 ext. 113 or
mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.
http://www.pgc.pa.gov http://www.gacofpa.org http://www.gacofpa.org
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2020

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