FERGUSON TOWNSHIP — Concerns over how sexual assault crimes are classified and reported dominated the Feb. 3 Ferguson Township Supervisors meeting, prompting extended discussion from supervisors, police officials and members of the public.
Police Chief Matthew Wilson addressed the board after questions were raised over a recent Spotlight PA news article by examining Uniform Crime Reporting practices. Wilson said the Ferguson Township Police Department follows federal reporting standards and takes sexual violence cases seriously.
“I understand a recent news article has caused some concern regarding proper uniform crime reporting,” Wilson said. “I understand that and I welcome this opportunity to provide information regarding Ferguson Township Police Department practices.”
Wilson said the department correctly reports rapes under the federal definition and stressed that crime coding does not affect how cases are investigated or charged.
“Simply put, the Ferguson Township Police Department is correctly reporting rapes to the Uniform Crime Reporting system based on the federal definition,” Wilson said. “How cases are investigated and charged criminally is not based on how a criminal offense is coded to UCR.”
Wilson said sexual assault cases are a high priority and are handled using the Sexual Assault Response Team model, which involves collaboration with trained nurses and Centre Safe advocates.
“Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offenses have always been and will always be a high priority,” Wilson said. “[They’re] investigated thoroughly.”
He explained that the department uses minimal-facts interviewing to reduce trauma for survivors.
“Minimal facts interviewing really has to do with not having a survivor have to continually tell their story over and over again,” Wilson said.
Supervisor Trevor White asked questions about how long current reporting standards have been in place and whether past crime data could be updated.
“If we look at the reports, we see a massive divergence in the number of offenses reported around 2020, whereas the clearance and arrest rates stay the same. And this is the only offense that happens,” White stated. “We updated our internal reporting processes around 2020 and maybe we need to go back to 2012 and kind of how the Spotlight article is talking about how all these 254 need to be backdated enough, updated and reclassified it under this code. Is that something that we’re going to need to do,” White asked.
Wilson said older reporting systems limit what can be changed retroactively.
“I don’t believe we can,” Wilson said. “I asked that question already.”
Wilson also noted Pennsylvania is expected to move toward a different reporting system in the coming years.
“It is anticipated in late 2026 that there will be a switch to reporting all criminal offenses through the National Incident-Based Reporting System,” Wilson said, calling it “a more robust and current form of crime reporting.”
Several supervisors emphasized the importance of transparency and accurate data.
“If you have a question regarding what you’re seeing, ask me,” Wilson said.
Public comment followed, including remarks from Ferguson Township resident Krista Shawley, who said crime statistics represent real people and real harm.
“These are not just numbers,” Shawley said. “These are people and lives.”
Shawley said how crimes are charged can affect sentencing and accountability.
“You can get out of jail on probation on sexual assault,” Shawley said. “Rape is a state prison sentence and you have to register on the Megan’s Law offender list.”
She said inaccurate reporting can cause additional harm to survivors.
“It re-victimizes us survivors over and over again every time that we’re let down by law enforcement,” Shawley said.
Jennifer Pencek, executive director of Centre Safe, also addressed the board and thanked supervisors for allowing the discussion.
“This is a massive problem,” Pencek said. “Centre Safe, which has been around for 50 years, we support approximately 200 or so sexual assault survivors every single year.”
Pencek said sexual violence affects all communities and demographics and encouraged continued education and awareness.
“The more that we can talk openly about these things, the more that we are spreading resources,” Pencek said.
Supervisors said the presentation was meant to address concerns directly.
“This was not a performative agenda item,” Supervisor Omari Patterson said. “This was a ‘we-need-to-hit-this-head-on’ based on the reporting.”
Later in the meeting, the board also discussed meeting procedures and how agenda items are handled, following questions about when and how certain topics should be brought forward for discussion.
Township staff explained that meeting agendas are prepared and posted in advance to comply with the Sunshine Act and to give residents notice of what will be discussed.
Staff said advance notice allows township employees and the public time to prepare, especially when topics require background information or staff input. Supervisors agreed that clear procedures help avoid confusion and allow for meaningful public participation.
Supervisor Omari Patterson said the board should rely on established rules while still allowing room for discussion when appropriate.
“If the board wants to talk about something, the board can talk about something, period,” Patterson said. “If you don’t want to talk about something, you vote no.”
Patterson said the board already has tools in place to manage discussion without avoiding transparency.
“We know how to use Robert’s Rules of Order on this board,” he said. “We don’t need all this rigmarole.”
At the same time, Patterson acknowledged the importance of process and said agenda rules should not be used to block discussion.
“But again, if the board decides they want to add something to the agenda, the board can,” Patterson said.
Supervisors discussed the need to balance structure with flexibility, noting that unexpected issues can arise between meetings. They emphasized that even when limited discussion occurs outside the posted agenda, major actions should still be scheduled in advance.
In addition to the procedural discussion, the meeting included proclamations recognizing Lunar New Year and Black History Month.
