Chief's Message


		LOCK UP 99% of vehicles stolen in East Pennsboro Township have the keys left in the ignition. Recently, we have had five vehicles stolen in one day. All five owners had left the keys in the ignition. An unlocked car is an open invitation to a car thief. LOCK UP WHENEVER YOU LEAVE YOUR CAR AND TAKE THE KEYS WITH YOU. Lock the trunk and / or tailgate. Close all windows - professional thieves have tools that help unlock cars through a minimum of open space. A gift -wrapped package or a camera lying on the seat of your car are tempations to steal. Lock all valuables in your truck or take them with you.

	BE CAUTIOUS Don’t think you can be careless about your car just because it is old or not running properly. Car thieves often make more money by dismantling a car and selling the parts than by trying to sell it in one piece. KNOW YOUR CAR INFORMATION Remember to keep your vehicle identificatio number (VIN) in your wallet. You should also keep a record of the year of your car, make, model, colors, and state license.


	IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN YOUR CAR. Section 3701 of Pennsylvania Vehicle code states: No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit the vehicle to stand unattended without placing the gear shift lever in a position which, under the circumstances, impedes the movement of the vehicle, stopping the engine, locking the ignition in vehicles so equipped, removing the key from the ignition and when standing upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway and effectively setting the brake. The fine and costs will set you back well over $100.00.

		HOME BURGLARIES On third of all residential burglaries are through unlocked doors or windows. It is always a good idea to lock up your home, even when you are present. Spring time will bring our community traveling “gypsy” type burglers who look for people working in their yards and gardens. These thieves know that most of us leave the door unlocked while we are working outside. It only takes a few minutes to enter your home and steal what- ever cash and valuables they may find. East Pennsboro Township know that prevention is better than you being a victim in the first place. Most thieves are lazy individuals who look for crimes of opportunity. You can remove that opportunity by locking up.

   The East Pennsboro Township Police Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation want to remind families that the theme for this year “I Buckle Up for Me and My Child” is a consistent buckle up message for children, as well as, adults. Recent research shows that children are likely to be buckled 96% of the time when adults are buckled.

   Nationally, over half of the children under 4 who died in motor vehicle crashes were unprotected without any type of child restraint. These tragedies were avoidable. East Pennsboro Township Police officers will be on the look out for families who need reminders to buckle their children. Pennsylvania’s new child passenger safety law, which becomes effective February 21, 2003, protects children up to age eight by requiring them to ride in an approved child restraint in any vehicle. Currently children under four must be secured anywhere in the vehicle in an approved child restraint. This is a primary violation. Starting February 21, 2003, children between ages four and eight must be secured in an appropriate fitting booster seat and children between eight and eighteen must be secured anywhere in the vehicle in the seat belt system. These are secondary violations. For example: The driver must be cited for speeding before he/she could be cited for a violation of this law.

   Violation of Pennsylvania new child passenger safety law carries a maximum fine of up to $ 100 for violation of not securing children less than eight years of age and under in an approved child restraint system. Failure to secure children between eight and eighteen carries a fine of $ 10.

   If you are unable to afford a car seat, call 1-800-CAR-BELT to find the nearest car seat loaner program.

   Child passenger Safety Week is a good time to check your car seat. To locate the closest car seat clinic, please call 1-800-CAR-BELT.

   To make sure everyone in the family is buckled right, follow these rules for safe travel:

1. Read both the car seat instructions and the vehicle owner’s manual before installing car seats.

2. All children under 13 should ride in the back seat.

3. When installing your child’s car seat, place your weight or pressure on the car seat. Lock the seat belt according to the vehicle’s instructions on seat belts or in the owner’s manual. Check the installation, allow no more than 1 inch of side-to-side or forward movement.

4. Infants should ride rear facing and semi-reclined, no more than 45 degrees, until at least age 1 and 20 pounds. Remember NEVER place a rear-facing infant near an air bag. Place a baby’s harness in the slots at or below the shoulders. Tighten the harness until it lies in a relatively straight line without any slack or sagging, but not so tight as to press into the child’s body causing discomfort. Adjust the chest clip on the harness to armpit level (if the manufacturer provides one).

5. Toddlers ride forward facing and upright once they reach at least age 1 and 20 pounds. Children should stay in the forward facing car seat with a harness until they are 40 pounds. Place the harness through the top reinforced slots on the seat (unless instructions say otherwise). Tighten the harness until it lies in a relatively straight line without any slack or sagging as indicated in 4 above. Place chest clip at armpit level.

6. NHTSA recommends all children who have outgrown child safety seats should be properly restrained in a booster seat until they are a least eight years old, and approximately 4 feet 9 inches tall. Use the belt positioning booster seat with a lap/shoulder belt properly adjusted to fit a small child over the hips and shoulder.

7. For children over eight and adults, use properly positioned seat belt. Properly positioned means: shoulder belt is across the shoulder and the lap belt is low and snug across the hips. NEVER place a shoulder belt behind the back or under an arm.

For more information call 1-800-CAR-BELT or the East Pennsboro Township Police Department at 732-3633.

   The “Circle of Peace” statue honoring the children who have passed away prior to graduation is a beautiful memorial. I have watched countless children stand in silence and reflection as they joined hands with the children in the sculpture.
The third grade children (“Kids Around Town”) of West Creek Hills Elementary
   The third grade children (“Kids Around Town”) of West Creek Hills Elementary SSchool conceived the idea for the Memory Garden and raised substantial public dollars for this project.
   Unfortunately, I have also seen children using this memorial as a “jungle gym”. I have spoken to them and explained the meaning of the memorial. Adams-Ricci Park has many objects which are designed for children to enjoy themselves while climbing on and off them.   I don’t feel the Memorial Garden represents a climbable toy.

Desecration of venerated objects is a serious criminal offense in Pennsylvania. A person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable by up to 2 years in jail and/or a $ 5,000 fine, if he intentionally desecrates any public monument or structure, place of worship or burial, or if he intentionally desecrates any other object of veneration by the public or a substantial segment thereof in any public place. As used in this section, the work “desecrate” means defacing, damaging, polluting or physically mistreating in any way that the actor knows will outrage the sensibilities of persons likely to observe or discover the action.
If you see anyone trying to cause damage to this beautiful memorial, please ask them to stop and call 911.

Thank you,
Dennis W. McMaster
Chief of Police
East Pennsboro Township


	-Home- -Administration- -Parks & Recreation- -Housing & Community- -Public Safety- -Public Works- -Contact Us-