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 3

March 2005

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

 

 

CIVILIAN POLICE ACADEMY SET TO BEGIN

 

The dates for the next session of the Pottstown P. D. Civilian Police Academy have been scheduled for Tuesday March 29th through Tuesday May 3rd, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Pottstown Senior High School (748 N. Washington St. Pottstown, PA).

 

The Academy is designed to give members of the community a greater understanding of the Pottstown Police Department and the role that it's members play in our community.  Additionally, students learn how they can assist the police in making our community a safer place.

 

 

During Academy sessions issues such as; Traffic Safety, Narcotics Investigations and Identification, Juvenile Investigations, K-9, CMERT (commonly referred to as a "SWAT" team), the DARE Program, and Crime Scene Investigations; are discussed and explored.  Attendees will witness various demonstrations and participate in scenarios, to include traffic stops and response to emergency calls.  Each topic is instructed by personnel trained specifically in the respective fields.

 

Academy applications are now being accepted and can be picked up in person from the Pottstown Police Department (100 E. High St. Pottstown, PA  19464).  Inquiries regarding the Pottstown Police Department Civilian Police Academy and/or requests for applications can also be made by contacting Corporal Mark Boyce or Corporal Michael Long by phone at 610-970-6570 or by email.

 

 

EXPLORE THE WORLD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

Pottstown Law Enforcement Explorer Post #2773 is a cooperative venture between the Pottstown Police Department and the Pottstown Area Athletic League (The program is a special interest phase of the Boy Scouts of America.).  The purpose of the program is to provide young men and women, between the ages of fourteen (14) and twenty-one (21), of  Pottstown and the surrounding area with an opportunity to gain insight into a career in law enforcement.

 

 

As a member of the Post, the Explorer will have many opportunities to gain personal knowledge of the Law Enforcement Community by learning, hands on, from sworn police officers.  The Explorers, through various training opportunities and programs (including a Ride-Along Program), will observe the officers as they perform the many different tasks required of persons who have dedicated themselves to serving the public.

 

 

Explorers meet with their advisors at bi-weekly Post meetings that are held at 6:00 PM Sunday evenings in the Pottstown Police Station (March 2005 meetings - Sunday 3/6 & Sunday 3/20).  The Pottstown Law Enforcement Explorer Post is run at no cost to the young men and women who participate.

 

Any young adult or parent interested in learning more should contact our Explorer Post Advisor, Pottstown Police Officer Michael Long.  He can be reached in person at Borough Hall (100 E. High St. Pottstown, PA 19464), by phone at 610-970-6570, or by e-mail.

LAW ENFORCEMENT POST #2773

 

 

PHISHING SCAMS - PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT

 

Some of you may have noticed an increase in the amount of unsolicited e-mails you are receiving from what appear to be legitimate sources, and in the number of unsolicited pop-ups that appear at many of the popular web sites that you visit.  Many of these e-mails and pop-ups are legitimate yet many are the work of con-artists who are phishing the World Wide Web.  Phishing scams can be carried out in person, over the phone, or via e-mail and/or pop-up windows.

 

The e-mail messages, pop-up windows, and the associated web sites appear to be legitimate - enough to fool many people into believing that it they are on the up-and-up.

Many people, including some of our local residents and business people have been tricked into believing that it is all legitimate, providing personal information, such as; credit card numbers, passwords, social security numbers, account information, and other personal data.

 

Then, many times after it was too late, the unsuspecting victims learn that they have been "phished" by a cyberspace con-artist.  Armed with the personal data, the con-artist uses the information to his or her advantage by selling it, using it to buy goods and services, get loans, establish a false identity, etc.

 

To prevent yourself from being the victim of an e-mail phishing scam, follow the suggestions offered by Microsoft® by following this link.  If you think you may have inadvertently responded to a phishing scam, follow the suggestions offered by Microsoft® by following this link.

 

 

CALLS FOR SERVICE - January 2005

 

During January 2005, the Pottstown Police Department answered 1,511 calls for service.  Of these calls, 1,505 occurred in the Borough. (Note: The remaining 6 calls were requests for assistance by other Police Departments or other Law Enforcement Agencies.)

 

During the month we averaged 48.74 calls per day or, 16.24 calls per shift.  For the year we have answered 1,511 calls.  The daily average for the year is 48.74 calls per day or 16.24 calls per shift.

 

During January 2004 we answered 1,349 calls. We answered 162 more calls this month than last January.  This is an increase of 12.01% from last year.  For the year (2005) we answered 162 more calls than this time in 2004.  This represents an overall increase of 12.01%.

 

 

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

 

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR A SIX-YEAR (1999 - 2004) POTTSTOWN P. D. CALLS FOR SERVICE COMPARISON

 

 

MARCH SAFETY TIP

 

Prevent Blindness America has designated March as "Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month" in an effort to raise awareness about the necessity of eye safety on the job.

Click Here To Learn More

 

 

March 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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 PRIVACY STATEMENT

Copyright © 1999  Pottstown Police Department. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 03, 2005