Community Relations Spring Township Police Department

Community Relations

Welcome to Community Relations Unit for the Township of Spring Police Department. The current administration of the Police Department feels that one of the most important aspects of a Police Department is the relationship between the community and the police officers. To address this area, the Community Relations Unit was formed. The goal of the unit is to create a positive working relationship between the community and the Police Department. The unit works to achieve this goal by making the Police Department more active in the community, to create and nurture a better rapport with the citizens of the Township of Spring and by providing ways to prevent crimes from occurring in the Township.
What can the community do to help achieve our goal?
The community needs to become aware of the services provided by the Police Department and use these services. The community needs to provide information about what services the unit would be providing the community. The community needs to become active in reporting suspicious activities in their neighborhood at the time the event is occurring.
This web page is offered to make the community aware of the services and programs offered by the unit.
At the current time, Sgt. Donald Aiman is on injury leave from an accident in May 2007. Until such time that Sgt. Aiman is able to return to duty, Sgt. Barry Marchut has been assigned to lead the Community Relations Unit.
The unit has initiated several programs to help achieve the goals set forth. The following are some of those programs:

Security Survey
Victims Compensation Act
Appearances
Tours of the Police Department

Future Programs
Sponsorship of Programs

A strong community can only exist with the help of a strong Police Department, but a strong Police Department can only exist with the help of a strong community. This is only the first step in making our community and Police Department strong. Please find a way to get involved and help us meet our goals.

Officer Commendation/Complaint Form

Security Survey

A burglary has occurred at your home...what can you do? The Community Relations Unit will come to your home and perform a security survey. The security survey consists of an officer coming to your home and checking the exterior and interior of the home. The officer will evaluate the security methods already in place. The officer will complete a survey sheet as he does this check of the home. After the inspection is complete, the officer will sit down with the homeowner and go over the results of the survey. The officer will make those recommendations that can make the home more secure. After reviewing the survey, the officer will type up a security survey sheet and mail the home owner a copy of the report. The officer can not guarantee that by following these recommendations the homeowner will prevent another burglary, but these recommendations should make it harder for a burglar to enter the home in the future. This program is not just for those who have had a crime occur at their home. The program can be used as a tool to prevent crime from occurring. Contact the office and leave a message on the Unit's email or voicemail to set-up a survey.

Back to Menu

Victims Compensation Act

You are a victim of a crime. What are your rights as the victim? The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has instituted a law to help the victims of a crime. The Act is designed to help recoup any expenses incurred by the victim of an act of violence. These expenses are limited to the medical expenses not covered by insurance, lost time at work, or funeral expenses not covered by insurance. The Act, however, does not cover those expenses due to loss of property or replacement costs. The department is actively participating with the District Attorney's Office to provide the victim with information needed to participate in this program. When someone meets the requirements to participate in the Act, the Department will provide the victim of an act of violence with an informative pamphlet of the Pennsylvania Victim's Bill of Rights, lists of organizations that can help and phone numbers to contact the organizations. The department will also provide the victim with an application to initiate the program.

Back to Menu

Appearances

The unit is available to appear at a variety of group functions. The unit has presented to senior citizens groups on topics such as telemarketing fraud, charity fraud, etc.; preschools and youth on topics such as seatbelt awareness, dealing with strangers, Mc Gruff (the crime fighting dog), Eddie the Eagle (gun safety awareness), and other programs helpful to youth; and provides an information stand at the various functions.
Anyone interested in having an officer attend a function please contact Sgt. Marchut at the office at (610) 678-3431 or by Email: BMarchut@springtwpberks.org.

Back to Menu

Tours of the Police Department

The unit will give a tour of the Police Department for various groups. These tours are very popular for the Cub Scout Troops in the Township. The tour includes the ability to be in a police cruiser, showing the individual offices, meeting the officers who are at the office (including the Chief of Police, Lieutenant of the Detectives, the Detective Division, etc.), seeing the evidence processing area, the holding cells, the mug shot and fingerprinting area, and a brief discussion of various topics. Included is the presentation of a Jr. Police Officer Badge, a Stranger Awareness Coloring Book, and other handouts. Anyone interested in scheduling a tour please contact Sgt. Marchut at the office at (610) 678-3431 or by Email: BMarchut@springtwpberks.org

Back to Menu

Future Programs

The unit is always interested in receiving input from the public about the types of programs the Community would like to see from the Unit. If you have a suggestion for the Unit, please feel free to contact Sgt. Marchut at the office at (610) 678-3431 or by Email: BMarchut@springtwpberks.org

Back to Menu

Sponsorship of Programs

The unit would also like to give the business community an opportunity to get involved. The unit has several programs it would like to provide, but there still is a need for sponsorship to make them a reality. One popular form of Community Involvement is the Police Officer Baseball Card Program. Businesses in the Township have sponsored Officers’ baseball style cards which are then handed out to the children in the area. Each card has an Officer’s picture on it, a short biography, and crime prevention tip. With the recent addition of several Officers to the Department, the Department is again looking to any businesses that would be willing to sponsor an Officer’s card. Each business that has contributed in the past or in the future would have the business acknowledged on the card. This would be an excellent way to advertise your business.
Another program is the Kid Card ID Kit. The public has become increasingly aware of Child Abductions. This program is a way to allow a parent to be prepared for this potential tragedy. The program consists of photographing a child, printing the child's thumb, and placing some vital information on a card. There are two cards provided to each child, one is laminated and kept with the child and the second card is kept by the parent in a secure place. Any business sponsoring this program will be recognized when the program is conducted. The unit has provided this program several times each year.
The handouts provided by the unit are another item that a business can sponsor. There are unlimited items that the unit can order to handout at events, but these items can be a draining expense for the department. A business can help out by sponsoring the purchase of these items.

Any business that is interested in more information on becoming a sponsor, please contact Sgt. Marchut at the office at (610) 678-3431 or by Email: BMarchut@springtwpberks.org.

Back to Menu

back

2800 Shillington Road · Sinking Spring, PA 19608-1682