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 4, Issue 2

March/April 2006

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ENTRY TEST SCORES - CLICK HERE - ENTRY TEST SCORES

 

NEW OFFICERS SWORN

 

On Tuesday February 15, 2006 Pottstown Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas conducted a ceremony to swear-in Pottstown's two newest patrolmen; Twenty-four year old Officer Todd Istenes, a 1999 Daniel Boone High School graduate and twenty-five year old Officer Brian Weitzel, a 2000 Governor Mifflin High School graduate. Officer Istenes, who is a 2004 West Chester University graduate, was formerly employed as a delivery person at American Beauty Fish & Produce, in West Chester, PA.  Off. Weitzel, a 2004 graduate from Kutztown University was formerly employed by Firetrac, Ltd. - PennCap in Wernersville, PA. as a case manager.

 

Officers Istenes and Weitzel immediately began their Field Training, being directly supervised by Field Training Officers - Senior officers who specialize in training new officers - for the next sixteen weeks.  The addition of Officers Istenes and Weitzel to our ranks brings our current staffing level to forty-three (43) officers.  We anticipate that two more officers will be added to our ranks in 2007 as we move toward the targeted staffing level of forty-seven (47) officers by 2008.

 

We welcome Officers Todd Istenes and Brian Weitzel to our ranks!

 

(From left to right) Pottstown Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas

swears-in PPD Officers Brian Weitzel and Todd Istenes

 

JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY SCHEDULED TO BEGIN

 

 

The second session of the Pottstown Police Department's Junior Police Academy (JPA) is scheduled to begin on Monday April 10, 2006 through Monday May 22, 2006.  Classes, open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys and girls, will be held on Mondays from 3:15 pm to 6:15 pm in the Pottstown Middle School LGI (room #230).

 

Cadets who participate in the JPA, sponsored by the Pottstown Police Department, in partnership with the Pottstown School District, will experience an overview of the exciting field of law enforcement, "hands on" workshops with local police officers, and demonstrations of police techniques and equipment. 

 

The Junior Police Academy motivates young people to be outstanding citizens through law enforcement education. An outgrowth of community policing, JPA transforms the traditional role of the police officer into one of mentor and friend, while  encouraging our young citizens to be partners, not adversaries, in building safer schools and communities.

 

Anyone interested in attending the Pottstown Police Department Junior Police Academy, or for more information regarding the JPA, should contact Pottstown Corporal Mark Boyce or Officer Michael Long (phone: 610-970-6570).  There is no cost to the student and refreshments will be served at each session.  Class size is limited to the first twenty (20) students who apply.  To learn more about the Junior Police Academy concept, follow this link to the JPA National Office.

WANTED FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

 

The Pottstown Police Department is asking for help from the public in locating CRAIG KULP(below), who is wanted on an outstanding felony warrant charging him with Aggravated Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Simple Assault for the 2005 assault of an ex-girlfriend.  KULP has been seen over the past month in the Pottstown & West Pottsgrove areas.  Anyone seeing, or having information regarding KULP is asked to contact the Pottstown Police Department at 610-970-6570 or by email.  KULP should be considered dangerous as he as a history of violent behavior.

 

Photo 2002

CRAIG KULP

Male / White

DOB: 09-16-1975

Hair: Balding

Eyes: Brown

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 170 lbs.

Last Known Address: 1301 Summer Ct. Pottstown, PA

 

 

CALLS FOR SERVICE - JANUARY 2006

 

During January 2006, the Pottstown Police Department answered 1,854 calls for service.  Of these calls, 1,836 occurred in the Borough. (Note: The remaining 18 calls were requests for assistance by other Police Departments or other Law Enforcement Agencies.)

 

During the month (and for the year thus far) we averaged 59.8 calls per day or, 29.9 calls per shift.  For the year we have answered 1,854 calls.

 

During January 2005 we answered 1,511 calls. We answered 343 more calls this month than last January.  This is an increase of 22.7% from last year.

 

 

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR A TWELVE-YEAR (1994 - 2005) POTTSTOWN CRIME STATISTICS COMPARISON

 

 

SAFETY TIP:

 

MARCH 19th THROUGH THE 25th IS NATIONAL POISON PREVENTION WEEK

"Some 30 children die every year due to accidental poisonings, and approximately 1 million phone calls are placed to Poison Control Centers annually by adults seeking help when children have swallowed something harmful. In an effort to prevent such tragic events, National Poison Prevention Week was established by the U.S. Congress on September 16, 1961 (P.L. 87-319). Shortly thereafter, the Poison Prevention Week Council was organized to coordinate this annual event................"

 FOR MORE INFORMATION 

 

1st ANNUAL FRIENDS OF S.W.A.T. GOLF TOURNAMENT

 

A local group of individuals have joined together to host a golf tournament to raise funds for the purchase of equipment that will keep local tactical officers safe while engaging in high risk operations.  The 1st Annual Friends of S.W.A.T. four-man scramble will be held on Monday April 17, 2006 at the Linfield National Golf Club.  Lunch and registration begins at 11:00 am with a shotgun start scheduled for 12:00 noon.  For more information, to sponsor a hole, or for a foursome sheet, either stop by Goodwill Ambulance or contact the Friends of S.W.A.T. by email.

 

 

UPCOMING PPD & SPECIAL EVENTS (Special Events in Green)

OTHER UPCOMING POTTSTOWN MEETINGS & EVENTS

 

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 02, 2006