Shootings 'won't be tolerated,' York mayor says, detailing crime-fighting plans

Rick Loper referred to himself as a "peace-loving man," but if he needs to, he will defend his family and his home in York, he said Thursday.

Loper, 64, attended a news conference that day held by York City Mayor Kim Bracey, during which she talked about a proposal to hire eight new police officers and plans for a gun buy-back program.

During a question-and-answer period with members of the media, Loper said someone broke into his home the day before. The thieves, who made off with Loper's laptop, scattered when they became aware that Loper's daughter was there at the time.

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"You're invading my house," said Loper, who added he is a registered gun owner. "I have a right to defend myself."

Loper's comments dovetailed with one of the points Bracey made during the news conference — that although crime in the city has been down for the past several years, it is still occurring and making a negative impact on its victims.

"One crime, one shooting, is one too many and totally uncalled for and won't be tolerated," Bracey said. 

READ:Teen driver wounded in York gunfight, police say

To that end, Bracey and York City Police Chief Wes Kahley discussed their proposal to hire eight new police officers, which then would bring the department's total to 103 officers, Kahley said.

"While we know we cannot arrest our way out of this problem, obviously having more police officers ... is imperative, and it is a step that we must take," she said.

"Chief Kahley and myself and others, if you will, have been working constantly and consistently with many partners, including the York County District Attorney's Office, the ATF, the FBI (and) our group violence initiative."

Bracey said she would bring the proposal before the city council as soon as it could be scheduled. Appearing at the news conference in support of the initiative was council member Judy Ritter-Dixon.

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Bracey said later that money for the new officers would come from the city's general fund.

"It will be worked into our budget," without any foreseeable problems, she said. "We're not jeopardizing the city's solid financial standing."

In addition, she thanked York City Fire/Rescue Services Chief David Michaels for his help in organizing a gun buy-back event, to be held Oct. 27 at the 833 E. Market St. station. 

More:Guns found stuffed in couch in York drug bust, cops say

Bracey and Kahley distributed an information packet to the media, illustrating a drop in crime in York over the past several year, citing information from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports.

The number of homicides in York hit a high in 2011 with 16; however, last year, there were half that number, the reports indicate.

Violent crimes — homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and arson — had a slight uptick last year from 2015, but overall, have been on a steady decline since the early 2000s.

In addition, all assaults with guns in York, which would include homicide, also spiked in 2011 with nearly 140, and last year saw a number of 80, according to the reports.

Kahley highlighted the decrease, but emphasized there is more work that needs to be done.

"There's not a week that goes by that our men and women aren't out there making arrests, targeting those individuals that we know are out there committing gun violence, arresting them, taking their guns from them," Kahley said.

Take a look at some of York County's most notorious crimes:

Contact Ted Czech at 717-771-2033.