Some politicians, law enforcement authorities and crime victims will gather today in Philadelphia to deal with the problem of repeat violent offenders, and the carnage that so many of them leave in their wake.

The forum is being hosted by the state House Judiciary Committee. Two Delco reps, Bryan Lentz, D-161, of Swarthmore,and Mario Civera, R-164, will be on hand.

There is growing outrage in the state – especially in the Philadelphia region – over the release of repeat violent offenders. The hearing will focus on the state’s system of probation and parole.

They won’t have to look far for examples. In Philadelphia, it seems like it is open season on cops. And seemingly each time a suspect has the handcuffs of a slain officer placed on his wrists, we learn he has a long criminal record.

Here in Delaware County, we have our own example of why this system is broken and needs to be dressed.

His face is plastered on the front of today’s print edition.

Meet Jermaine Burgess.

The Upper Darby man is already facing the death penalty after being charged in two vicious Delco murders, both involving home invasions. Burgess, 37, has been charged in the sadistic killings of Hoa Pham in his Upper Darby home, and six months before that the equally savage killing of Marie Ott in her Ridley residence.

But police are not done with Burgess. They now believe he is the prime suspect in the murder of a Drexel Hill woman whose body was found in Philadelphia in April 2001. And Upper Darby cops think he just might be their man in the killing of Jane Morgan in her Long Lane apartment.

Burgess is no stranger to the law. He has a long criminal record, one that started when he was 11. He has the words “lawless hoodlum” tattoed on his arm. He has convictions for robbery, aggravated assault and firearms offenses.

He would routinely serve some time, be paroled, and then promptly violate his parole in returning to his life of crime.

Burgess may not get that chance again. He could be executed if convicted of the Pham or Ott murders.

All of which comes as little consolation to the families who have lost loved ones, and the others still seeking closure, to see someone charged in their loved one’s death.

Here’s a novel concept. Lock some of these repeat offenders up and throw away the key.

It comes too late for Hoa Pham or Marie Ott.

But maybe it will save another family from a similar agony.