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 5

 May 2005

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POTTSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT K9 RETIRES

 

PPD Corporal Mick Markovich and his now retired

K9 partner Britt on patrol, watching the crowds, during

Pottstown's 2004 visit of President George Bush, Jr.

 

On March 28, 2005 the Pottstown Police Department retired K9 Britt.  Britt, a German Shepherd, had been with the Pottstown Police Department since July of 2000.  Britt was purchased in June of 2000 from Castle K9 in Mechanicsburg, Pa.  Britt came to Castle K9 from the Czech Republic and responded only to commands that were given to him in his native, Czech language.  Britt was a dual trained police dog, trained in both Patrol Tactics and Narcotics Detection.  He was trained to detect marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines.

 

Corporal Mick Markovich, Britt's handler and partner, reports that, "During his time with the Pottstown Police Department, Britt was responsible for finding thousands of dollars worth of illegal drugs, the seizure of drug money and recovery of several stolen guns."


Britt's excellent nose was not only successful in finding drugs, but in finding people, he was used for tracking missing people, performing building and area searches, and was used on several occasions to track felony suspects.  Britt tracked several subjects who were wanted for things such as robbery, vehicle theft, and aggravated assault against a police officer.  When needed, if the crime was serious enough, Britt was used to apprehend suspects as well.


Britt's experience in police work also brought him to see the better side of people.  He was always glad to show off his skills during K9 Demonstrations at schools, public affairs and special meetings.  The young people were especially fond of Britt, while on patrol Cpl. Markovich states that he, "could often hear people yelling out Britt's name as he patrolled the streets."

 

Now that Britt is retired he will be living with Cpl. Markovich and his family.  Cpl. Markovich says that, "Instead of sleeping on a kennel floor, Britt will now spend his days playing in the yard and sleeping on carpet."  Britt's only responsibility now is to enjoy his retirement.

K9 Marko will be Cpl. Markovich's new partner.  K9 Marko was also obtained from Castle K9.  Marko comes from the Netherlands and his native language is Dutch.  Cpl. Markovich will use Dutch commands for Marko.  Marko, a 20 month old Belgian Malinous, will be trained in the same areas as Britt, Patrol and Narcotics.  K9 Marko and Cpl. Markovich finished basic training on April 22, 2005 and will be new partners patrolling the streets of Pottstown.

 

Corporal Markovich and his new K9 partner Marco

 

 

CIVILIAN PROCESSOR POSITION FILLED

 

A new but familiar face can be seen around Pottstown P. D. these days.  Last week, retired Pottstown Police Officer Edward Hoffman returned to PPD as a Civilian Processor.  Ed replaces Luis Colon after Luis returned to his previous position at the Pottstown Water Treatment Plant.  Once his training is completed, Ed will work Tuesday's through Saturday's, from 2 PM to 10 PM.

 

Ed will assist Pottstown officers with the processing of prisoners and arrestees along with conducting video arraignments.  Additionally, in cooperation and with the assistance of the Pottstown School District, Ed will be assisting with the monitoring of juveniles who have been detained after school - pending release to parents.  When not dealing with his primary tasks, Ed will be performing data entry and records maintenance in our Records Division.

 

Welcome back Ed!

Civilian Processor Edward Hoffman

 

 

   ACTIVITIES AT COVENTRY MALL TO

  HIGHLIGHT LOCAL POLICE WEEK 2005 ACTIVITIES

 

In 1962, May 15 was designated National Peace Officers' Memorial Day, by President John F. Kennedy.  The week containing May 15 has been designated as National Police Week.  National activities (hosted each year in Washington, DC) and local activities throughout the Nation are held to honor those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice the previous calendar year and to offer support to the survivors of those officers as well as survivors of past years.

 

This year, 415 new names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial - including 153 officers who died in the line of duty in 2004.  Locally several events are planned (see below).  For a schedule of National activities in Washington, DC, go to the Schedule of Events on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Web Site.

 

One of the most extraordinary events that takes place in Washington, DC each year is "The Candlelight Vigil: A Moment to Remember" on the grounds of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC.  This year the vigil will take place on Friday May 13 at 8:00 p.m.

 

Last year, thanks to the efforts of "Friends of the Pottstown Police", a simultaneous candlelight vigil was held at the Borough Hall Transit Park located in front of Borough Hall (100 East High St.).  Residents and Police Officers of Pottstown and it's surrounding communities attend this solemn event.  The next local candlelight vigil is scheduled for Police Week 2006.

 

 

Scenes From the 2004 Pottstown Candlelight Vigil

(Photographs by Dan Creighton, The Mercury)

Local Police Week activities - The public are encouraged to attend and participate:

REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN MILITARY SERVICE

MAY 30th IS MEMORIAL DAY

 

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.  There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day.

 

Follow this link to learn more 

 

 

CALLS FOR SERVICE -   2005

 

During March 2005, the Pottstown Police Department answered 1,683 calls for service.  Of these calls, 1,667 occurred in the Borough. (Note: The remaining 16 calls were requests for assistance by other Police Departments or other Law Enforcement Agencies.)

 

During the month we averaged 54.29 calls per day or, 18.10 calls per shift.  For the year we have answered 4,623 calls.  The daily average for the year is 51.37 calls per day or 17.12 calls per shift.

 

During March 2004 we answered 1,597 calls. We answered 86 more calls this month than last March.  This is an increase of 5.39% from last year.  For the year (2005) we answered 259 more calls than this time in 2004.  This represents an overall increase of 5.93%.

 

 

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

 

 

SAFETY TIP

 

As many of us get ready to fire up our grills this coming Memorial Day weekend, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) is offering safety tips for consumers to follow when using their electric, gas or charcoal grills.

Follow this link to learn more

 

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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Copyright © 1999  Pottstown Police Department. All rights reserved.
Revised: May 04, 2005