THE COMMUNICATOR

A COMMUNITY INFORMATION SERVICE

PROVIDED BY THE

POTTSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Dispatch: 610-970-6570     Administration: 610-970-6572     FAX: 610-970-6588

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Volume 3, Issue 11

November 2005

If you are aware of anyone who would like to receive The Communicator, please send us their e-mail address.

 

NOVEMBER 11, 2005 IS VETERANS DAY

 

FOR YOUR SAFETY

 

Over the years a problem has been developing throughout the Borough that needs to be addressed.  When the Police, Fire, and Ambulance Services are responding to an emergency call in the Borough the method used to locate the property in question is the house number.  Recently we have noticed that more and more Borough residences do not have visible house numbers affixed to the front of their homes.  Not being able to quickly locate a residence could mean the difference between a "good" resolution or a tragedy.

 

The members of the Pottstown Police Department urge all homeowners to take the time to ensure that their families and their properties have the best chances possible during times of emergency, by verifying that their house number is readily visible from the street. 

 

House numbers should be, at minimum, four (4) inches high, of a color that contrasts with the house color, and located so that it is readily visible from the street.  If an alley passes behind your home, we also recommend that you place the house number on the rear of your residence as well.

 

An example of 4" letters that

contrast with the house color

 

PPD SOON TO ADD SPEED TRAILERS

 

Staring in late November motorists will begin noticing a speed trailer (see picture below) at various locations throughout the Borough.  This trailer will be the first of two scheduled for delivery, the second will arrive in early February 2006. The trailers, manufactured by Kustom Signals, Inc., are both being purchased with federal grant funds with no direct expenses out of the Borough's budget.

 

The trailers will be used to help slow down speeding motorist by strategically placing them on Borough streets.  Motorists will receive an indication of their actual speed as they approach the trailer.  If a motorist is speeding the display will flash, warning them to slow down.

 

In addition to speed notification, both trailers will be equipped with on-board computer systems to monitor vehicle activity and aid us in conducting traffic surveys.  This feature will eliminate the need for an officer to sit for hours at a time conducting traffic counts, freeing him or her up for other assignments.

 

Kustom Signals, Inc. SMART Trailer

 

 

BOROUGH LEAF COLLECTION

 

As fall passes us by, so does the time when leaves are falling from the trees.  Leaves that are not removed will accumulate on storm drain openings causing flooding problems, on sidewalks and on streets making them "slip" hazards to pedestrians and motorists.

 

The Borough's Leaf Collection Program began on October 11 and will continue until Thursday, December 8, 2005.  Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags for pickup.  Bagged leaves should be placed along with resident's recycling containers on the same day as recycling pickup.  Note:  J.P. Mascaro, Inc. will not collect leaves placed in plastic bags or other containers.

 

To assist residents in this endeavor, Pottstown Leaf Bags are available at a cost of 20¢ per bag.  Leaf collection bags are available at the following locations (For additional information call 610-970-6527):

(Please Note: Leaves placed in plastic bags or other containers will not be accepted.  Leaves cannot be mixed with other household trash for collection.  The raking of leaves into the street is a violation of Pottstown Borough Ordinance #1773.)

 

 

CALLS FOR SERVICE - September 2005

 

During September 2005, the Pottstown Police Department answered 2,059 calls for service.  Of these calls, 2,047 occurred in the Borough. (Note: The remaining 12 calls were requests for assistance by other Police Departments or other Law Enforcement Agencies.)

 

During the month we averaged 68.63 calls per day or, 22.88 calls per shift.  For the year we have answered 16,829 calls.  The daily average for the year is 61.64 calls per day or 20.55 calls per shift.

 

During September 2004 we answered 1,757 calls. We answered 302 more calls this month than last September.  This is an increase of 17.19% from last year.  For the year (2005) we answered 1,276 more calls than this time in 2004.  This represents an overall increase of 8.20%.

 

 

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR AN ELEVEN-YEAR (1994 - 2004) POTTSTOWN CRIME STATISTICS COMPARISON

 

 

SAFETY TIP

 

"According to the Home Safety Council's national report on home injuries, the State of Home Safety in America™ (2004), falls accounted for nearly one-third of all unintentional home injury deaths each year. Falls from stairs and steps were the second leading cause of death due to falls. Follow the Home Safety Council's steps to stairway safety to make your home safer from falls." 

 

For more more information and other safety tips from the Home Safety Council:

 

 

NOVEMBER 2005 EVENTS (Special Events in Green)

(Detailed List Below)

 

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO VIEW A PRINTABLE POTTSTOWN BOROUGH CALENDAR

(Note:  To view the Borough's Calendar, you will first need to have Adobe® Acrobat Reader™ installed on your computer.)

 

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DISCONTINUE in the subject line.

 

VISIT THE POTTSTOWN BOROUGH WEB SITE

 

 

TERMS OF USE & DISCLAIMER

 PRIVACY STATEMENT

Copyright © 1999  Pottstown Police Department. All rights reserved.
Revised: November 07, 2005