Lt. Tracy Brown, barracks commander for Pennsylvania State
Police Troop J, Avondale, said again he is working to improve communication
between the troop and the public.
He was responding to questions about press releases not
being issued after a rash of burglaries in Pennsbury Township earlier this
spring and summer.
Both Troop J and Troop K, Media barracks, fax releases to
the press several times per week relating to police activity. However, there
were a number of burglaries in two sections of Pennsbury when such releases
were not sent.
As previously reported, ChaddsFordLive.com learned of the
incidents from residents—victims and neighbors—and received verbal confirmation
of an investigation into those incidents from Tpr. Corey Monthei in July.
Monthei said then that there had been “a handful” of burglaries in the
preceding 90 days.
At least two more burglaries occurred in the township within
the last three weeks and, again, no press releases were issued. Brown, who
became barracks commander in April, attended the Pennsbury supervisors’ meeting
in August and addressed the issue when it was brought up by a reporter.
He discussed it again during a telephone interview earlier
this week. He said he was having a clerk review reports and promised to have
them faxed.
“I have made people aware of this and you will be getting
them,” Brown said during the interview. “I’ve brought it up at roll call and
discussed it with the sergeants and patrol corporals, as well.”
The spate of burglaries along with the lack of information
from the police has gotten to people to the point where at least one person was
talking about getting a firearm.
Brown said he understands people have that right, but wants
residents to know that he and his troopers are “out there doing our job. …
We’re trying to make sure that everything is out there for you.”
Brown added that residents with concerns should phone the
barracks and talk with him. He said he’ll meet with them to address their
issues.
A day following the interview, Troop J personnel did fax
press releases on several incidents, including three burglaries and one case of
criminal mischief that occurred between July 7 and Aug. 14.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.