“TOPs”  -  TOWNWATCH on Patrol

Welcome to “TOPs”, Pennsbury Townwatch’s member newsletter.  Pennsbury Township is located in Chester County, PA and is predominately a rural community in SE Pennsylvania. Townwatch can be reached at 610-388-0785.

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President’s  Corner

In these difficult economic times, many people are concerned about the threat of rising crime in their communities. Over the summer, there have been some criminal activities within Pennsbury Township ranging from home burglary to car theft. There are ways to help protect your home and your neighborhood from crime by taking some simple steps, like keeping your doors locked (both house and parked cars), watching out for suspicious and unusual behavior in your neighborhood, and to participating in your local Townwatch.

Get to know you neighbors and their children so you can look out for one another. Keep spare keys with a trusted neighbor not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge, or in the mailbox. Set timers on lights when you're away from home so your house appears to be occupied. Illuminate or eliminate places an intruder might hide: the spaces between trees or shrubs, basement entries, ground level windows. Keep the State Police number handy or programmed into your phone in case you need it.

We have completed our annual membership drive and I want to thank everyone for their continued support of our Townwatch operation both with their financial contributions to volunteering to patrol our streets and roads.

Fall is a beautiful time of year. I wish everyone a safe, enjoyable autumn.

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."

William Cullen Bryant"

Kevin D Meloney

President

Popular “55 Alive” Safe driving program returns November 14th

Due to the popularity of the “55-Alive” Class given in the past, Pennsbury Townwatch has decided to bring the course back to again this fall. Produced by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and conducted throughout the country in two half-day sessions, 55 Alive teaches preventive measures to use when driving that saves lives. Eight hours of classroom instruction that refines existing skills and develops safe, defensive driving techniques. The course is spread over two four-hour sessions on consecutive Saturday mornings. The class, subsidized by Townwatch, is priced at $10 per individual and is limited to the first 20 people.  The half-day sessions will be held on November 14 and November 21 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Pennsbury Township Building on 702 Baltimore Pike (U.S. Highway 1), Chadds Ford, PA 19317. You must attend both sessions to receive certification. Light refreshments will be served. Certificates are good for three years. PA law requires insurance companies to give a 5% discount for drivers 55 and older who successfully complete the course. To sign up, fill in the form on page 4 of this Newsletter and send a $10 check made out to “Pennsbury Townwatch-55 Alive” to: Pennsbury Townwatch, 702 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317. Alternatively, call the Township Building at 610-388-7323 to reserve your spot.  In the last several years, over 65 residents have been educated by our “55 Alive” classes.

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Scholarship Awarded to Unionville

High School graduate

To encourage the study of law enforcement and community safety and service, Pennsbury Townwatch is pleased to announce the continuation of a scholarship entitled the Pennsbury Townwatch Scholarship for Law Enforcement Study to a deserving Unionville High School graduate who is pursuing a career in law enforcement, forensic science or criminology. The scholarship consists of a one-time $1000 award to a student enrolled in such a training program. In May, a Unionville High School Scholarship Committee selects the student from a list of those meeting the selection criteria established by

Townwatch. The 2009 recipient was Gregory P. Blue of  West Chester, PA. He is now attending East Stroudsburg University of PA. He is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice Administration. Congratulations to Gregory and our best wishes for success in continuing his education.

 

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Camp cadet—a program we can all support

As you are aware, Pennsbury Townwatch works very closely with the State Police as an extended set of “Eyes and Ears”. We do our best to support their efforts in improving the security and safety of our Township residents and their programs to educate residents and youth about law enforcement activities. Camp Cadet is a very worthwhile program started by our local PA State Police whose officers donate their time to serve as counselors and instructors. The program is a unique weeklong summer program for Chester County boys and girls, ages 11 to 13, to give a better understanding of law enforcement activities while living in an atmosphere similar to a State Police training academy. Emphasis is placed on self-discipline, building self-esteem and confidence through teamwork and making new friends

Campers participate in a wide variety of instructional activities each day. They learn about firearm safety, radar, fingerprinting, forensics, drug prevention, water safety, rescue operations, personal conflict resolution but the program also devotes ample time to recreational activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, basketball and other games.

Camp Cadet is free to Pennsbury Township youth and all expenses are paid by donations obtained from various community organizations, private citizens and other Criminal Justice System agencies. Applications for youths interested in the program for the August, 2006 Camp Cadet are now being accepted. Forms can be obtained by contacting Trooper Cory Monthei, PA State Police, telephone 484-340-3241.

Pennsbury Townwatch heartedly endorses the Camp Cadet program, has made grants to support their activities and asks you to do the same. Tax-deductible donations to the Camp Cadet Program for Chester County can be made to Camp Cadet of Chester County, c/o PA State Police, 1818 W. Strasburg Road, Coatesville, PA 19320.

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OutReach “Welcome Packet” Program Extends The Contributions of Townwatch to community

The main activity of Pennsbury Townwatch is to patrol the streets and roads of our Community to help to ensure the safety and security of the residents. However, we sponsor other activities that fit this charter through the Outreach

program. For example, one activity is to provide Welcome Packets to new residents. Administered by Sandy Desirey, the Welcome Packet program provides an overview publication about the township which includes a map and information guide. The mailings also include recent newsletters from the Township and Townwatch. We also include information on the Land Trust and Township Park offerings. Emergency information includes a letter from the Longwood Fire Department and Pennsbury Emergency Management as well as the Chester County 911 Program. We also include some brochures of interest such as Longwood Gardens, Chadds Ford Winery and Pennsbury Inn. We hope this Outreach endeavor helps new residents with helpful and needed information and makes them feel like they are part of the Pennsbury Township Community.

Since the last TOPs Newsletter in March, 2009, there have been only ten new residents in Pennsbury Township, probably indicative of the current economic situation and housing market.

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report on status of Townwatch membership

Our Membership “Committee”, Roman and Leslie Kucharczyk, has performed an analysis of Townwatch membership over the past 6 years based on the current membership base. Here are words of praise for the Pennsbury Townwatch members:

As a measure of the great loyalty our membership shows to Pennsbury Townwatch, 305 members/member families have made donations to support Pennsbury Townwatch in 3 of the last 6 years.  Of those, 228 have donated in 4 of the last 6 years.  Of those, 138 have donated in 5 of the last 6 years.  And of those, 56 have donated in all of the last 6 years.  More than 260 members/member families have donated so far in the year 2009.

As a measure of the great generosity our membership shows to Pennsbury Townwatch, 33 members/member families have donated a total of $100 or more over the last 6 years.  Of those, 11 have donated a total of $200 or more over the last 6 years.  And of those, 6 have donated a total of $300 or more over the last 6 years. 

Thank you for your loyalty and generosity! It is through your level of support we can continue our efforts to make Pennsbury Township safe and secure.

 

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                                                        Townwatch holiday Vacation Tips

As the heart of the fall/winter holidays draws nearer, some of us are tempted to head to a somewhat warmer climate to get away from it all. However, don’t forget to take the proper precautions to protect your home and valuables during your absence by observing a few simple rules:

·      Make sure that somebody plows your driveway and shovels your walks after a snowstorm; nothing is more obvious of an unoccupied home than to have unplowed driveway days on end.

Simply, make your house looked as “lived in” as possible. Taking these simple steps will make your home a far less tempting target for a burglary.

In fact, before you go, it may be a good time to update (or create) your home inventory. Take photos or make video of items, and list descriptions and serial numbers. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file. Made sure things like TV’s, VCR’s, stereo equipment, cameras, sports equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office equipment, and power tools are on the list. Don’t forget to leave a telephone number with a neighbor, relative, close friend or the police where you can be reached in an emergency.

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Trooper Corey Monthei Speaks at Townwatch Annual Meeting

This year we had the honor of having the Community Service Officer of the Pennsylvania State Police from our local Avondale Barracks. Trooper Corey Monthei is a seasoned police officer in his 18^th year with the State Police. After serving as a member of the United States Marine Corps during the Gulf War, he joined the State Police. He has served in both Delaware and Chester Countries. Besides his current role, he also serves as a Director of the Camp Cadet of Chester County (see accompanying article in this issue of TOPs), He and his wife Leigh reside in Birmingham Township and have two young daughters.

In his presentation, he presented a brief “History of the Pennsylvania State Police” and highlighted the many resources available to our community. In addition, he provided education to the audience on how to better protect themselves from crime. In fact, Trooper Monthei has offered to speak at other club meetings or public gatherings on that and other pertinent topics. He can be reached at PA State Police, Avondale Barracks, telephone 484-340-3241.

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                                                             9-1-1 Address -- DO YOU KNOW YOURS?

IS IT VISIBLE FROM THE STREET?

If you have been a frequent reader of TOPs, you are probably aware of our campaign to educate the public about the importance of having a proper 9-1-1 address. Having a clearly readable address is one of the more important visible things you can do to ensure your own safety and well-being. How so? If the Longwood Fire Company or the State Police cannot find your home in record time, those few minutes could be a matter of life or death in case of a real emergency. During our Township patrols, many of our patrollers have noted the absence of property numbers that are clearly visible from the streets or roads that we are patrolling. Think of a fire engine or police car racing down your street after dark trying to locate your home. You can purchase large reflective house numbers from local hardware stores. Place them on your lawn in a prominent location visible from the street.

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