New Pottstown Police Chief: Use Increased Patrols, Social Media To Fight Crime

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  The social media aspect doesn’t really strike me an a great crime fighting tool; however, crime mapping and focused patrols in problem areas are certainly a good start.  We can only hope things move in a positive direction with the police department.  Unless crime can be brought under control, revitalization and economic development cannot happen on a large enough scale to truly have a transformative impact on the Borough of Pottstown.

POTTSTOWN — Even before taking the oath Wednesday night as the borough’s new police chief, Richard Drumheller had some ideas to help make the community safer, even if it means using unconventional tactics.

Drumheller plans on using Facebook and Twitter to create a better connection with residents, increase patrols in high-crime areas and streamline the way police calls are dispatched.

One of the first changes he wants to make as the new chief is creating a department presence on social media as a way to engage with the residents of Pottstown.

He said people want to know what is going on in the borough and he wants to use Facebook and Twitter as a way to keep them informed.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130509/NEWS01/130509292/new-pottstown-police-chief-use-increased-patrols-social-media-to-fight-crime#full_story

Pottstown Police: Hundreds Of Parking Tickets Turn Into Citations

POTTSTOWN — Hundreds of unpaid parking tickets issued in the borough turned into citations late last week.

After receiving a pair of warnings, those that haven’t paid off parking or other related tickets will now be dealing with citations in court, according to Pottstown Police Chief Rick Drumheller.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130220/NEWS01/130229925/pottstown-police-hundreds-of-parking-tickets-turn-into-citations#full_story

Speaker On Flanders Appointment Quieted By Pottstown Police

Editor’s note: Very Orwellian.

POTTSTOWN — A man who apparently did not understand that comments at borough council meetings are to be made at the beginning was shut down Tuesday night by Borough Council President Stephen Toroney and plain clothes police as he tried to comment on the appointment of Mark Flanders as the new borough manager.

Waiting until a motion and second had been made for Flanders’ appointment, an elderly man in the back of the room, said he had a question on the matter.

But Toroney told him “this is a public meeting and comments are to be made at the beginning of the meeting.”

“How are you supposed to comment when you don’t know what’s going to happen?” asked a woman in the audience.

Read more:

http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20121113/NEWS01/121119709/speaker-on-flanders-appointment-quieted-by-police

Council Vote Will Clear The Way For Drumheller As New Pottstown Police Chief

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POTTSTOWN — Borough council will vote Tuesday to begin the process of creating a Civil Service list for the position of police captain, thus clearing the way should the current captain, Rick Drumheller, be named the new police chief.

The current chief, Mark Flanders, must retire in April as the result of his participation in an early retirement program.

He is also currently serving as the interim borough managers and several sources have indicated he will be named to that position permanently at Tuesday evening’s meeting.

Last Wednesday night, council, at the urging of Safety Committee Chairman Mark Gibson, indicated it is willing to begin the process of Civil Service Commission testing to create an eligibility list for the rank of captain.

Read more:

http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20121112/NEWS01/121119818/council-vote-will-clear-the-way-for-drumheller-as-new-pottstown-police-chief#full_story