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 3

May/June 2006

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   MAY 14th - 22nd is NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

 

In 1962, May 15th was designated National Peace Officers' Memorial Day, by President John F. Kennedy when he signed Public Law 87-726 on October 1, 1962.  The week containing May 15th 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.  Additionally on this day all U.S. flag's should be flown at half-staff the entire day "in honor of the federal, State, and municipal officers who have been disabled or killed in the line of duty." (36 USC Sec. 170 01/06/97 § 175 m)

 

This year, 467 new names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial - including 155 officers who died in the line of duty in 2005.  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 Saturday May 13th at 8:00 p.m. Click below to view a video overview of the Candlelight Ceremony.

Windows Media format (5.74M) or, for slower connections, try this

Quicktime format

 

 

  PPD TO HOST 1st ANNUAL BICYCLE DERBY and CHILD SAFETY PROGRAM   

 

On Saturday, May 13, 2006, the Pottstown Police Department, along with the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department, the Pottstown School District, Pottstown Trilogy Park, Safe Kids Pennsylvania Coalition, and other community partners, will sponsor a Bicycle Derby and Child Safety Program, which will be held at memorial park from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm.  The rain date for the event will be Sunday, May 14, 2006.  Bicycle safety topics included in the program will be:

In addition to the safety programs, there will be activities for all ages.  Door prizes and special gifts will be provided for children participating in the program.

 

Children will be able to register and have their bikes and bike helmets inspected.  Volunteers will be available to inspect bikes and helmets.  A properly fitted helmet is required to participate in riding activities.  If a child does not have a helmet or bike, they should still attend as there will be some available so they can participate in the rodeo.

 

Parents are asked to join in the activities and enjoy the day with their children.  There will be safety literature and information available for the entire family.  Child seat checks will also be made on the day of the rodeo - call for an appointment.

 

This Bicycle Derby and Child Safety Program is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and a Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Anyone having questions regarding the Bicycle Derby and Child Safety Program, or to schedule a child seat check, should email or call Pottstown Police Corporal Charles McClincy at 610-970-6591.

 

 

FISHING DERBY SCHEDULED FOR MAY 20th

 

On Saturday, May 20, 2006, the Pottstown Police Officers' Association and Gudebrod, Inc. will sponsor their annual Fishing Derby at Memorial Park along the Manatawny Creek, starting at 8:00 am.  Participants should register at the pavilion located on the "island" at Manatawny and Third Sts at the start of the event.

 

The Fishing derby is open to all children 12 years old and younger.  Refreshments for the kids, trophies, and prizes will be given.  For more information contact Pottstown Police Officer Michael Long by email or telephone at 610-970-6572.

 

GUARDIAN ANGELS GRADUATE AND HIT THE STREETS

 

Soon residents of Pottstown will be seeing the red berets of the Guardian Angels conducting safety patrols on the streets of our community.  On Monday May 1, 2006, six Pottstown residents graduated from twelve-weeks of intensive training and became the first official members of the Pottstown Chapter of the Guardian Angels.  Chapter Leader Ken Hess indicates that the training included recognition of criminal activity, how to be the best witness you can be, active listening skills, legal issues, first aid, CPR and other skill sets.

 

The Guardian Angels were formed in 1979 when founder Curtis Sliwa, fed up with the crime and violence in the Bronx, NY, organized 13 unarmed individuals whose goal was to take back their streets.  "After 27 years as promoters of safety and empowerment, The Guardian Angels continue to teach communities and schools to take control and responsibility of both their environment and their lives. Now their community is global as they reach citizens around the world." (http://www.guardianangels.org/history.html)

 

Pottstown Police Chief Mark Flanders offered his "respect and praise to each of the new Guardian Angels.  Rather than sitting around complaining, these six have stepped up to be part of the solution to problems in our community instead of being part of the problem because of apathy.  These six have recognized the importance of volunteerism and civic responsibility, adding new sets of eyes and ears to our community."
 

Anyone interested in contributing to our community by becoming a member of the Guardian Angels should contact Pottstown Chapter Leader Ken Hess by email or by phone at 610-326-3870.

 

 

Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa congratulates

Cheryl Frederick while Pottstown Chapter Leader Ken Hess looks on.

 

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP - 2 SUBJECTS STILL SOUGHT

 

Two weeks ago the Pottstown Police Department sent out a press release in an attempt to identify these three subjects.  Within minutes of sending the information out over the Internet, we received several tips as to their identity.  As a result we have been able to identify the three and are actively attempting to locate them. 

 

All three had recently obtained fraudulent Pennsylvania Identification cards with identities stolen from persons living in North and South Carolina.  The subjects have been counterfeiting and cashing checks in Montgomery, Berks and Chester Counties.  They were able to successfully steal $6000 from a local school district, as a result of these counterfeit checks.

 

The female shown on the top left, whose real name is Cheryl Eichler, has been located.  The female shown on the top right, whose real name is Paula Belknap, is using the identity of Brenda Sharon Flanders.  The male subject, whose real name is Howard Kelly, is using the identity of Robert J Crutchfield.  All three listed the fictitious address of 1257 S Keim Street, Pottstown PA 19464 on their PA identification cards.

 

Anyone have information regarding the whereabouts of Paula Belknap or Howard Kelly is asked to contact Detective Todd Richard by email or call by phone at 610-970-6579.

 

 

CALLS FOR SERVICE - March 2006

 

During March 2006, the Pottstown Police Department answered 1,831 calls for service.  Of these calls, 1,813 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 we averaged 59.06 calls per day or, 29.53 calls per 12-hour shift.  For the year we have answered 5,254 calls.  The daily average for the year is 58.38 calls per day or 29.19 calls per 12-hour shift.

 

During March 2005 we answered 1,683 calls. We answered 148 more calls this month than last March.  This is an increase of 8.79% from last year.  For the year we have answered 631 more calls than this time in 2005.  This is an increase of 13.65%.

 

 

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

 

 

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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Copyright © 1999  Pottstown Police Department. All rights reserved.
Revised: May 08, 2006