Latimore Township Crime Watch Committee

Thursday June 24, 2008

Subject: Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday June 24, 2008

Chairman: Bob Zangueneh, Also LMPOA Crime Watch Coordinator

Latimore Chief of Police: Mike Weigand

The Crime Watch committee meets the fourth Thursday of the month 7:00 P.M., at the Latimore Township Municipal Building, open to the public, all are invited. 

The meeting of the committee is initiated by a pledge of allegiance to our flag.

Update:

Bob Zangueneh updated the members in attendance regarding his meeting with the LMPOA Safety & Security Committee. In his meeting Bob had expressed the mission of the committee, given them an update on the various programs that the committee sponsors. One such program recently included hosting the scouts’ troop 89 at the township building; another recent program was “Adopt a Cop” which assisted in obtaining funds to purchase new ballistic vests and equipment for the department thus allowing more funds from the police budget to be used for greater coverage on the road. The Committee was able to raise $6,600.00 for this program, and others.

Monthly calls, May 22-June 26, township police department call reports:

Bermudian Springs School District:                               20

Eastern Adams Regional Area                                     1

East Berlin Borough                                                               3

Lake Meade                                                                       11

Latimore Township                                                           140

Reading Township                                                                 8

Total calls                                                                               183

Chief Weigand reflected the increase in calls over a six month period last year and this year:

Period                                   Calls

Jan. 08-Jun 08                    803

Jun 07-Jan 08                     403

Note: The number of calls for a six month period has doubled. The Chief indicated that with the current staff level, his team is adequately prepared to respond accordingly.

Specific type of calls were also discussed: Alarm, ambulance, animal complaint, assist other PD, fraud, ,domestic calls, stolen vehicles, thefts, vandalism, traffic, 911 hang-up, accidents misc., suspicious conditions,  Our police department keeps busy.

Crime Watch Committee, minutes continued:

The Chief is also reminding residents to please call 9-1-1 for emergencies only and 334-8101 (Adams County Control) for non-emergencies. One may also call 528-4121to leave a message.   

Lake Meade celebrates 40th anniversary. Bob Zangueneh indicated that the Association is planning to sponsor a vintage car parade around the lake. Chief Weigand volunteered to lead the parade with his police motorcycle.

Community call to action:

National Child Identification Program and

National Night Out Aug. 5, 2008

According to the Department of Justice, about 58,200 children are abducted each year by non-family members (with about 45 percent of those incidents perpetrated by strangers). This startling statistic caused the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) to launch the National Child Identification Program (NCIDP). The FBI has partnered with the AFCA in this program with the goal of providing inkless fingerprint and DNA sample kits to 60 million children in the United States.

National Night Out has also joined in the efforts by partnering with the NCIDP to increase awareness for child safety. For more information please see: www.nationalnightout.org. The National Night Out Participation is scheduled for Tuesday Aug. 5, 2008. Our Committee encourages all Communities to get involved.

For more information on protecting the children in your community visit the NCIDP website at www.childidprogram.com or call 972-2211

Finally: Fireworks

This time of the year many local towns arrange for professional pyrotechnics to discharge fireworks. They do so because fireworks are dangerous. But for some of residents that is not enough, and they elect to purchase illegal fireworks and discharge them around their neighborhood. This practice is illegal and punishable by a fine. Adams county noise ordinance which is effective after 10:00 P.M. is also applicable to the discharge of fireworks above and fines can be assessed.

Message to all our residents, enjoy the professional display of fireworks, stay safe, and avoid disturbing your neighbors.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.

Next meeting Thursday July 24th.

Latimore Township Building, Minutes prepared by Bob Zangueneh