The Spring Thaw 2014: Budding Street Crime in Pottstown

Sheryl Miller, Ward Three and Ryan Procsal, Ward One are reaching out to their constituents and their community for your input and your involvement.

Sheryl is holding the first, of many, Ward Meetings for residents on Tuesday evening.  See details here, on Evan Brandt’s Digital Notebook:

clik>>>>   Third Ward Meeting Tuesday

On his facebook page Ryan has put up the call for a Ward meeting too…he’d like to know what times work best for you!!  For those of you who are not on facebook, I’ll list contact information for council people, below this post.  If you are on facebook “Like” Ryan and Sheryl’s pages to stay current on the happenings.

I am delighted that the new council mems are using social networking to stay in touch with the people of Pottstown, this is a fantastic opportunity for residents, unless, that is…

You savor misery, you’ve worked hard to earn the label “apathetic” and  you wear it with pride.

It takes just as much energy to complain, moan and nurture apathy as it does to get involved and work together toward common goals…

Things they are a changing in the Land O’ Potts !!  

Citizens Action Committee for Pottstown is comprised of area residents and everyone is welcome.  

They’ve recognized that apathy isn’t effective so they got together to explore solutions, to present ideas and to communicate with the borough officials.  CAC also has a facebook page…

Last month, they presented the concept of the Better Landlord Program to the Infrastructure/Codes Committee …

Better Landlord Presentation

Which is now being vetted for consideration by the new License & Inspections Director, Keith Place.   Keith is open to residents, he listens as well as he communicates.  

Refreshing & much appreciated. 

CAC video tapes every council meeting so you will be inspired to get involved in your community, and…

WHY NOT, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE ??                                                                      

clik >>> Citizens Action Committee for Pottstown   

CRIME IS ON EVERYONE’S MINDS

With warmer weather comes the proliferation of drug dealers, strung out druggies, hookers and johns on our streets.  Assaults, robberies, breaking and entering, theft and even arson are on the rise.

It’s difficult to understand why this continues to be a constant factor of life here, why there is no focus on behalf of officials to diminish the crime that profoundly impacts life in Pottstown  - hence – contributing to the reputation that this is not a safe place to live or work.

In May, it will be a year since council appointed Rick Drumheller as the new Chief of Police.  While a vast majority of people in Pottstown would have liked to have seen council do a nationwide search for a Police Chief, that’s not what they chose to do, nevertheless…

This community indicates in every way possible that they want to work with our Police Department and we want to see community policing become a priority.  There used to be foot and bike patrols on the streets and nobody knows where they’ve gone.  

Uninformed…

People are left to draw their own conclusions.  Communication with the public could do much to foster understanding and much needed goodwill.   When residents comment on facebook that their reports to police about drug houses are met with the standard response: “there is nothing we can do about it” that’s scary and…

We want to know Why??

Pottstown has lost officers and recently gained new ones.  We wonder if the goals and objectives of last year are being addressed?  Is there a plan and a process?  

clik to the Mercury News > > > New Pottstown police chief:  Use increased patrols, social media to fight crime   

Chief Drumheller is quoted:  

“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,” but…

We are still waiting.

  In this April, 2013 Opinion Piece, the Mercury calls for:  

clik>>> Public Outreach as the Key for the New Chief of Police yet…

We are still waiting.

The post below, was published on March 19th.  This morning it has over 127 shares to other facebook pages and 5,810 people saw the post.  

There is a growing problem of hookers and johns on the streets downtown, please report your experiences to police and if you’re on facebook, you can post photo’s, license plates and let people know how your report is handled.  

SHARE THIS ON YOUR TIMELINE, THAT’S HOW YOU CAN HELP KEEP OTHERS SAFE. 

Women of Pottstown HEADS UP. We’re getting a lot of complaints about “johns” lookin’ for a pickup. They’re taunting and circling females who walk downtown on High, King, Charlotte, Hanover St. on their way to work or church. In another post, we’ll put up some things you can do to stay safe but for now be aware and stay safe.

Skinny white dude sometimes wears a peace sign do-rag, drives a green Honda CR-V. He’s seen on King St. circling blocks when he sees women or girls on the sidewalk. He got out of his car to approach a woman. CALL POLICE IMMEDIATELY if you encounter this man. He’s been turned in, according to one complaint we got about him. Keep turnin’ him in and get his license number if you can.

You can contact your council people and paid officials by phone, email or snail mail.  ALL official email addresses are the fist letter of their name and their entire last name @pottstown. org.

Stephen M. Toroney
Council President / Fourth Ward
610-323-6927
833 Logan St.
Pottstown, PA 19464