Council Co-Vice Chairman John Crossan tries his hand at bocce. Waiting her turn, to the left of Crossan is Councilmember Vinita Deshmukh. Behind them are Co-Vice President John Gillespie and Councilmember Colleen Morrone. Looking on are township Manager Amanda Serock, far left, and Director of Public Works Dan Moyer.
It’s not a done deal yet, but Concord Township Council is moving forward with an idea to install license-plate-reading cameras at three intersections. What is a done deal is that there are now two bocce ball courts on the township’s Thornton Road property next to the municipal building.
Council members unveiled the two courts prior to their May 3 meeting. Council Co-Vice President John Gillespie said the township has been working for a year to get the courts installed. And township Manager Amanda Serock said the work was done in-house by volunteers from the Parks and Recreation Committee and by the Public Works Department.
The idea for the license plate readers first came up publicly during the March meeting when Shawn Petty of Platelogiq presented his company’s use of the cameras. During that presentation, Lt. Jon Sunderlin, the barracks commander at Troop K Media, said that such a system could have helped solve a hit and run accident that happened on Route 202 several years ago.
Concord is working on a contract proposal for cameras at three intersections, one at Routes 1 and 202, another at Route 202 and Naamans Creek Road, and a third at Route 322 and Fellowship Drive.
The proposed contract is for five years at $22,000 per year, plus $9,125 per year for maintenance after that, according to Council President Dominic Pileggi.
Township Manager Amanda Serock said the figures discussed are a proposal, and that the contract, with full details, has yet to be written. She added that the contract does not automatically renew.
Privacy and potential abuse of the system have been topics within the conversation, in March, and in May. As was said in March and again during Tuesday night’s meeting, there are checks on how the system can be used.
Petty said in March that Platelogiq can’t be used to track or identify people, and only law enforcement can access the system. But one concern raised during Tuesday’s meeting was whether any cloud-based storage could be hacked and used for improper purposes.
State Trooper Jessica Tobin acknowledged that such a scenario can’t be fully prevented, at least at the current level of technology since many hackers are out in the world and they have hacked sensitive data, both governmental and private.
She added, however, that even law enforcement personnel can’t just access the system to go fishing or track former friends. And Council Co-Vice Chair John Crossan backed that up saying the police must show cause to access Platelogiq’s data.
The Platelogiq system is currently used in Upper Chichester, and Crossan said he and other councilmembers saw a demonstration of the system as Upper Chichester police use it. During the March meeting, he raised civil liberty issues but came away from the tour with Upper Chichester, saying he feels the system is secure enough.
“When it comes to public safety, a lot can be done, but, of course, we want to make sure there are checks and balances in place to ensure those systems are not abused against us. When I went to the demonstration in Upper Chi, I was confident with regard to the assurances of those checks and balances,” Crossan said.
He added that the system is audited, ensuring that access requests are tied to specific incidents.
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.
Some of the biggest art events on the Brandywine Valley calendar are ready to get into full swing! This includes the highly anticipated return of the Spring Gallery Walk in Downtown West Chester the evening of May 6th. Businesses around town turn into art galleries for the evening, each with a different artist or exhibit on display. And don’t forget to save the dates for the Chester County Studio Tour, Saturday, May 14th to Sunday, May 15th. Expect a full preview next week of what to expect from the tour which features open studios, gallery, and artist spaces throughout Chester County.
Church Street Gallery – Charles Schmidt
John O’Brien, Executive Director of the West Chester BID, Business Improvement District, notes they are excited to bring the Spring Gallery Walk back this year: “We are excited to showcase the great local artists in West Chester! The Gallery Walk is a self-guided art tour that features art galleries and special one-night shows at select retail stores. This is a marquee event in West Chester and we cannot wait to see everyone!” The Spring Gallery Walk is Friday, May 6th, from 4 to 8 pm in Downtown West Chester. Free on-street metered parking is available. Information, including participating businesses and locations, is available at DowntownWestChester.com.
One of the most popular spots on the Gallery Walk is always the welcoming David Katz Gallery, and this year, Katz is premiering new artwork based on a unique collaboration with West Chester Views. Joining will be Jennifer Domal, who will be showing a selection of her traditional and modern takes on Pysanki/Pisanki Painted Eggs. The breathtaking delicate and detailed pieces set among the large-scale painting of the gallery are not to be missed! The David Katz Gallery is located at 128 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA. More information can be found at DavidKatzGallery.com.
Blue Streak Gallery – Lele Galer
At the other end of the Brandywine Valley, Chester County artist Lele Galer will be among the artists shown at the May Art Loop on May 6th in Wilmington, DE. Galer will exhibit her new show, Petal and Metal, at the Blue Streak Gallery. More than twenty other spots on the tour will feature local and new artists alongside longtime favorites and traditional exhibitions. The Wilmington Art Loop is held every First Friday in Downtown Wilmington. This month’s Loop will be held Friday, May 6th, from 5 to 9 pm. A complimentary shuttle will run between the stops from The Delaware Contemporary, 200 South Madison Street, Wilmington, DE, DEContemporary.org. More information, including all the stops and featured artists and shows on the Loop, can be found at ArtLoopWilmington.org. The Blue Streak Gallery is located at 1721 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE.
Seven artists come together to reflect on what it has meant to be an artist through the pandemic in a new show, Reflections, at The Art Trust, on display through June 10th. The show includes an exhibit-specific piece, and the Opening Reception will be held during the West Chester Spring Gallery Walk on Friday, May 6th from 4 to 8 pm. An Artist’s Talk will be held on Thursday, May 19th, at 7 pm, and the Closing Event will be held on Thursday, June 9th from 5 to 8:30 pm. The Art Trust is at 16 West Market Street, West Chester, PA. More information can be found at TheArtTrust.org.
Audiences are invited to take a closer look at The Natural Sublime, the new show by Charles Schmidt at the Church Street Gallery. The show opens with a Cocktail Reception Thursday, May 5th from 5 to 8 pm and the show runs through May 28th. You can also stop by during the Spring Gallery Walk in Downtown West Chester. The Church Street Gallery is at 12 S. Church Street, West Chester, PA. More information can be found at ChurchStreetGalleryWC.com.
Get a sneak peak of what to expect at the Chester County Arts Association in its new show View: Experience the Art of the Chester County Studio Tour. One of the highlights of the art year, the Chester County Studio Tour features over 165 artists in over 65 studios throughout Chester County, all of which open their doors to the public for one weekend, Saturday, May 14th to Sunday, May 15th. See a preview of artwork from some participating artists and galleries at the CCAA and plan your stops for the next weekend. An Opening Reception will be held Thursday, May 5th from 5 to 8 pm, and the exhibition runs through May 27th. The CCAA is located at 100 North Bradford Avenue, West Chester, PA. More information can be found at ChesterCountyArts.org.
Art Trust – Reflections
Stop and smell the roses—or see them in vivid detail at least!—at Beautiful Blossoms at Square Pear Gallery, opening with a reception on Friday, May 6th, from 6 to 8 pm. Featuring gorgeous still life landscapes and close perspectives of all types of florals from nineteen local artists, this show runs through July 3rd. The Square Pear Gallery is located at 200 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA. More information can be found at SquarePearGallery.com.
The Howard Pyle Studio will show artwork by Members of the Studio Group during the May Art Loop in Wilmington, DE on Friday, May 6th from 5 to 7:30 pm. The Howard Pyle Studio is located at 1305 North Franklin Street, Wilmington, DE. More information can be found at HowardPyleStudio.org.
The Three J’s join together for a group exhibition at the Oxford Arts Alliance. Featuring the work of John Sauers, Jonathan West, and Justin Woytowitz, all local artists, the plein air landscapes bring emotion to the natural world. An Opening Reception will be held on May 6th from 5 to 8 pm, and the exhibit is on view until May 27th. The Gallery will also be open for the Chester County Studio Tour. The Emerging Artist Gallery will show the work of Oxford Area High School Art Student Rebecca Sharadin with A Collection of Silly, Little Drawings from May 6th through June 24th. The Oxford Arts Alliance is at 38 S. Third Street, Oxford, PA. More information can be found at OxfordArt.org.
Darlington Art Center will display their Teaching Artist and Member Gallery from May 14th through June 3rd. There are events ongoing at the 4 Arts Festival from May 14th through June 11th, featuring Music, Visual Art, Dance, and Drama. This family friendly event supports young artists and the community. The Darlington Arts Center is at 977 Shavertown Road, Garnet Valley, PA. More information can be found at DarlingtonArts.org.
Familiar artists return to The Station Gallery from May 6th to the 27th for the New Paintings, Gallery Artists show. Meet artists Terry Anderson, Rosemary Castiglioni, Sue Ciccone, and Frank DePietro at the Opening Reception Friday, May 6th from 5 to 8 pm. The Station Gallery is located at 3922 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE. More information can be found at StationGallery.net.
Artist Stefanie Lieberman adds her vibrant landscapes to Spring Collections at Gallery 222, curated with styling vignettes throughout by Andrea Cummins-Disbro. An Artist Reception will be held Thursday, May 5th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Gallery 222 is located at 222 East King Street, Malvern, PA. More information can be found at Gallery222Malvern.com.
Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.
•Xavier King, 22, of Philadelphia, was arrested on DUI charges following a traffic stop in Concord Township on May 1, a police report said. The incident happened at 2:23 a.m. at Routes 1 and 202. The report said police stopped the 2022 Kia Optima for traffic code violations. The resulting investigation led police to determine King was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
•State police are investigating a theft from a vehicle parked on Johnson Farm Lane in Concord Township on April 24. Among the items stolen were a $100 wallet, $300 in cash, as well as credit cards, and a bracelet.
•Police said two women identified as Jessica Vandegrift and Alicia Clark ripped off the Target store in Concord Township to the tune of more than $1,000 worth of merchandise. One of the items taken was a $280 breast pump. According to the report, the two suspects entered the store multiple times to take the items, then fled in a 2006 Ford Fusion.
•A 45-year-old woman from Glen Mills was arrested for shoplifting at Wegmans on April 12. Police said the accused, not named in the report, stole $539 worth of merchandise. The items were recovered and the woman was taken into custody after being confronted by store personnel.
Avondale Barracks
•Police said speed was the cause of a one-car crash in West Marlborough Township on April 19. According to the police report, Aaron A. Cooper, 22, of Coatesville, was northbound on Route 841, north of Greenlawn Road when the Ford F750 he was driving ran off the road while he was negotiating a left curve. Cooper was taken to the hospital for an unspecified injury. A passenger in the truck was also believed injured but was not transported.
•A 23-year-old from Springfield was arrested for DUI in Kennett Township on May 1. The incident happened on Lenape Road. Police said they stopped the vehicle after seeing it run a red light. A field sobriety test indicated impairment. The driver was not named in the report.
•Police said Jorge Lara-Castro, 54, and Maria Cerrato, 52, both of West Grove, were arrested for shoplifting at the East Marlborough Walmart on April 30. The police report said the pair switched price tags and failed to pay full price for items totaling $122.
Kennett Township Police Department
•Police said they arrested Michael Doe Jr, 38, of Kennett Square, and charged him with strangulation, harassment, and other related assault charges following an altercation during which he allegedly strangled and pushed a female. The incident occurred on April 24, at approximately 12:26 p.m., on Marshall Street.
•A male juvenile was charged with terroristic threats, harassment, and other related offenses after he had shown a pocketknife with an open blade to a group of female juveniles who were in an indoor swimming pool. The incident occurred on March 16, on Race Street. Officers were able to view video surveillance which showed a male juvenile displaying a closed knife at the window to the indoor pool and a few seconds later he took the knife out again, and unfolded it to display the blade portion against the window towards the group of females.
•Omar Gonzalez-Elcampo, 36, of Landenberg was arrested and charged with DUI and related traffic offenses, after the vehicle he was operating was stopped for speeding. The incident occurred on April 25, at approximately 12:39 a.m., in the 100 block of West Cypress Street. Upon making contact with Gonzalez-Elcampo, officers said they observed indicators suggesting intoxication, and field sobriety tests showed impairment. He was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI and a chemical test of his breath resulted in a blood alcohol level of 0.133 percent.
