Southern Police Commission
Monthly Meeting
March 18, 2009
A public meeting of the Southern
Police Commission was held on Wednesday, March 18, 2009
at the New Freedom Borough Council Chambers, 49 East High Street, New
Freedom PA 17349.
Those present: Richard Buchanan
Chairman, John Peters Commissioner, Larry Flemmens Vice Chairman, Edward
Molinsky Commissioner, Ronald McCullough Commissioner, John LaMartina
Commissioner James Childs Chief of Police and Solicitor Chuck Patterson.
Those absent:
Jeff Joy Commissioner, Edward Tinder Commissioner and James Reedy
Commissioner.
Chairman Richard Buchanan called the
meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No public present.
APPROVAL OR AMENDMENT TO MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 4, 2009
Chairman Richard Buchanan asked for a motion to approve the
minutes of February 4, 2009, Commissioner
Edward Molinsky
made a motion to approve the minutes.
Commissioner John LaMartina seconded the motion, motion carried.
REVIEW OF EXPENDITURES FOR FEBRUARY 2009
After members reviewed the expenditures from
February, Commissioner Edward Molinsky made a motion to approve checks
6440 through 6478 and expenditures totaling $94,015.61 and Commissioner
John LaMartina seconded that motion, motion carried.
The upgrade for the portable radios cost
$2,340.00 and was paid this month.
CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chairman Richard Buchanan wanted to commend
Chief Childs for the excellent job he did for the awards ceremony.
POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT:
Chief James Childs explained that the amount
of summary arrests for Shrewsbury and New Freedom appear higher than
normal because the officers were closing out cases for 2008 and
completed arrests that were outstanding.
Chief James Childs reported that Officer
Daniel Teague will give his presentation about gang activity at April 1st
meeting. He is still working
on information and will have the report completed in time for the next
meeting.
Chief James Childs explained that District
Magistrate Reamer is considering terminating block scheduling for
hearings. Solicitor
Patterson further explained that block scheduling is a good idea but the
District Attorney’s Office does not have the manpower to cover hearings.
The District Attorney’s Office was going to hire three people to
do these hearings but because of budget cuts they were unable to do so.
Chief Childs noted that alarms at the school
district increased this month because new coaches have started practice
and were not familiar with the alarm system.
Chief Childs asked the Commission members to
review the 4th Quarter 2008 Report.
Chief Childs reported that the Southern
Regional Police Department will not receive any funding to hire a police
officer through the JAG program because we do not qualify.
This program was designed for departments where officers have
been laid off or have not filled positions that have been vacated
because of retirement or people leaving the department.
Chief Childs reported that 598 people sent in
applications for the police test.
Approximately 572 actually took the test and out of the 572
approximately 390 passed.
Chief Childs reported that he would like
Southern Regional Police Department to be the first police department in
York County to join the 911 Cell Phone Bank Program.
This program is designed for people to drop off used cell phones
which will be refurbished and given to senior citizens.
This will enable the senior citizens to call 911.
The Southern Regional Police Department will be a drop-off point
for these used cell phones and we will then send them to RMS who will
refurbish them and send them back to us and Chief Childs will distribute
them to the senior centers in our area.
Chief Childs reported that the emergency call
box is installed and he will get a sign for it in the near future.
Chief Childs received a quote on installing a
new window and door on the police department from HQ Enterprises at a
cost of $1,250.00.
Commissioner Edward Molinsky made a motion for HQ Enterprises to install
the window and door not to exceed $1,500.00.
John LaMartina seconded the motion, motion carried.
Chief Childs reported that the portable
radios have been updated with scanners.
He is planning on contacting the County Treasurer about returning
some of our money because we still have not received the radios for the
cars.
Officers responded to 113 calls in
Shrewsbury, 93 calls in New Freedom, 25 calls at the Southern York
County School District, 60 calls in Glen Rock, 5calls in Railroad and 10
calls outside our jurisdiction.
498.04 hours were spent in Shrewsbury, 345.54
were spent in New Freedom, 53.48 were spent in the school district,
201.41 hours were spent in Glen Rock, 14.07 hours were spent in Railroad
and 5.52 hours were spent outside our jurisdiction.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
No committee reports.
FINANCE AND BUDGET
Chairman R. Buchanan pointed out that it is
too early to tell where we are on the budget.
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
Nothing to report.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Solicitor Patterson commented on the Witman
appeal and what his options are for the future.
OLD BUSINESS
After doing some research it was determined
that the Annual Auditor’s Report must be advertised in the York
Newspapers. They cannot be
published in the Community Courier because they must be published in a
paid newspaper.
NEW BUSINESS
Chief Childs informed the Commission that
Sergeant Geary is researching his options for when he retires.
The department’s medical insurance carrier has requested a letter
from the commission stating that it is a contractual issue that when an
officer retires he or she has the option to remain on our insurance as
long as they pay their premium.
Administrative Assistant Patricia Miller will draft a letter for
this purpose and the Commission will vote on it at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Edward
Molinsky, seconded by Commissioner Ronald McCullough to adjourn at 8:05
p.m., motion carried.
Respectfully submitted and recorded by
Patricia Ann Miller
Administrative Assistant
