Posted: Monday, September 30, 2013 9:00 pm | Updated: 10:36 pm, Mon Sep 30, 2013.
Morrisville residents are focusing on keeping their children and community safe by starting a town watch because some believe the borough’s police department isn’t hacking it.The first meeting is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Italian American Club, 150 Harrison Ave.Resident Peter Eisengrein, who is among a group of about six people heading the town watch, said his purpose for joining the cause is the “general discontent” with the borough police’s poor handling of crimes, such as car break-ins.
The last straw for the father of three was when in recent weeks the police and Mayor Rita Ledger delayed telling the community about alleged abduction attempts.
Kelly Yura, a lifelong resident of the 2-square-mile borough, said the community needs answers.
“As a town, we were outraged when the police waited days to tell us about the attempted abduction,” she said. “We need the cops to report crime; we need to know what is going on in our little town. There are a lot of good people in Morrisville who want to keep (our) little town safe. I love Morrisville. I want good things to happen here.”
Police Officer Erica McIntyre will be the department’s liaison for the town watch group.
The 8,700 Morrisville residents may have reason to fear that their police department is ill-performing. Frederick DeVesa, the department’s former interim police director, wrote in a 12-page report that the police force “will sooner or later face some type of tragedy or catastrophe” unless drastic administrative, policy, security and staffing changes are made soon.
The police department lacks professionalism, firearms are poorly administered, officers are left without supervision, crime evidence isn’t promptly documented or handled, and the police building is poorly secured, according to his report.
DeVesa’s critique was based on observations and interviews he encountered during his two weeks on the job in August before his abrupt resignation due to lack of cooperation from officials including the mayor. Ledger, who is not seeking re-election this fall, is suing the borough and seeking monetary compensation, claiming the borough hasn’t allowed her to conduct her mayoral duties.
Because of the lawsuit, the borough administration or council has not meddled in police issues, according to officials.
In his two-page resignation letter dated Aug. 15, DeVesa wrote: “I am very disappointed that I cannot effectively serve in the capacity that we envisioned, but I did make it clear at the outset, that I could not continue if circumstances threatened to undermine my credibility and reputation. Accepting responsibility for a mission that I cannot control and successfully complete is not something that I can undertake.”
DeVesa was to head the small police force until a new chief was hired. Since January, Lt. Thomas Herron has been the officer in charge after the December departure of former police Chief Jack Jones, who was hired earlier this year to do security work at Morrisville School District. Jones' pay is being covered by the federal program, 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
When DeVesa first entered Jones’ office, he said he discovered “a complete mess.”
“There were two handguns and ammunition on a closet shelf, some evidence envelopes scattered about the office, and a wallet containing $655 in cash in a desk drawer,” the report shows.
In his report, DeVesa also made suggestions to improve the department. One was to hire more patrol officers. Since his departure, the council voted to hire three police officers. Nothing else has been done from DeVesa's suggestions. Herron said last week he hadn't read the report.
The last straw for the father of three was when in recent weeks the police and Mayor Rita Ledger delayed telling the community about alleged abduction attempts.
Kelly Yura, a lifelong resident of the 2-square-mile borough, said the community needs answers.
“As a town, we were outraged when the police waited days to tell us about the attempted abduction,” she said. “We need the cops to report crime; we need to know what is going on in our little town. There are a lot of good people in Morrisville who want to keep (our) little town safe. I love Morrisville. I want good things to happen here.”
Police Officer Erica McIntyre will be the department’s liaison for the town watch group.
The 8,700 Morrisville residents may have reason to fear that their police department is ill-performing. Frederick DeVesa, the department’s former interim police director, wrote in a 12-page report that the police force “will sooner or later face some type of tragedy or catastrophe” unless drastic administrative, policy, security and staffing changes are made soon.
The police department lacks professionalism, firearms are poorly administered, officers are left without supervision, crime evidence isn’t promptly documented or handled, and the police building is poorly secured, according to his report.
DeVesa’s critique was based on observations and interviews he encountered during his two weeks on the job in August before his abrupt resignation due to lack of cooperation from officials including the mayor. Ledger, who is not seeking re-election this fall, is suing the borough and seeking monetary compensation, claiming the borough hasn’t allowed her to conduct her mayoral duties.
Because of the lawsuit, the borough administration or council has not meddled in police issues, according to officials.
In his two-page resignation letter dated Aug. 15, DeVesa wrote: “I am very disappointed that I cannot effectively serve in the capacity that we envisioned, but I did make it clear at the outset, that I could not continue if circumstances threatened to undermine my credibility and reputation. Accepting responsibility for a mission that I cannot control and successfully complete is not something that I can undertake.”
DeVesa was to head the small police force until a new chief was hired. Since January, Lt. Thomas Herron has been the officer in charge after the December departure of former police Chief Jack Jones, who was hired earlier this year to do security work at Morrisville School District. Jones' pay is being covered by the federal program, 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
When DeVesa first entered Jones’ office, he said he discovered “a complete mess.”
“There were two handguns and ammunition on a closet shelf, some evidence envelopes scattered about the office, and a wallet containing $655 in cash in a desk drawer,” the report shows.
In his report, DeVesa also made suggestions to improve the department. One was to hire more patrol officers. Since his departure, the council voted to hire three police officers. Nothing else has been done from DeVesa's suggestions. Herron said last week he hadn't read the report.
17 comments:
"claiming the borough hasn’t allowed her to conduct her mayoral duties."
It is impossible for the borough to obstruct the mayor from her work with the police department.
This is what incompetents do as a defense to cover for their incompentence.
A majority of voters put those incompetents in there. Live and learn? Man I hope so.
Rita has no shame. It's always someone else's fault. That seems to be common theme among SOC-SOT and their ilk. Even with the irrefutable evidence of their gross negligence and incompetence, they somehow still cling to their victimhood. I hope the judge throws out Rita's case and forces her to pay the Borough's legal fees for a frivolous lawsuit. Finally, how can she justify seeking a monetary settlement? This goes to show what a self-serving, narcissistic arsehole she really is.
I would like to know when the Morrisville School District is going to fire Mr Jones, who apparently is not fit for his current position there either?
Stop wasting 20th Century funding on cronies, friends & family members!
Legally, Rita can spend $4000 of the borough's money on legal fees. I have no doubt her attorney is racking up quite a bit more than that. Even if the borough did settle to save the cost of court, it will have cost us all more money than this town can afford to spend on this scam. I didn't vote for Rita, but somebody had to. I really cannot believe this town is constantly taken in by wolves in sheep's clothing.
Can or will insurance cover some of this? I was not taken in by Ledger or any other of her cronies. I knew they blew way before last election.
The media really is horrible. Good things happen in Morrisville every day that are worthy of good publicity yet nobody hears anything or rarely hears anything. Nothing positive would ever more than one article if it gets any.
Something less than flattering for Morrisville happens and it's the media's golden goose.
I know that it's the way of things. It's still unfortunate. The negativity an most annoying.
"I would like to know when the Morrisville School District is going to fire Mr Jones, who apparently is not fit for his current position there either?"
Just to clarify, Chief Jones no longer works for the school district as of last June when school ended. The information in the article is wrong.
Damon Miller
President
Morrisville School Board
Thank you Damon
For those that could not attend the town watch meeting tonight, a few bullet points...
Peter Eisengrein read mission statement
Reminder to lock doors
Make sure house numbers visible
Cost to keep, porch light on overnight about 19 cents
Long term goals include how to get funding and to formulate an official board of directors
Steve houston reminded the facebook rules of engagement. To be on town watch page must be mville borough resident.
If sharing info online, be sure its first hand and not hearsay, always report incidents or suspicious activity directly to police and then share on page.
Do not engage with anyone yourself, report and let police handle.
Make notes asap of what you observe so its fresh, shape, size, skin color, height, weight, tattoos, hair length, color etc etc.
Kurt holthenrichs discussed resources they are working on, donations for flashlights and lightbulbs.
Gave out packet of stranger danger info. Teach kids what to do, how to react, talk about it often, give them tools to use.
Steve tracey said this is not political group but one trying to unite the community.
Encoursged people to go to borough council meetings.
Erica McIntyre and her husband chris, both police officers, reviewed what a town watch group is vs a Neighborhood Watch, which is what they are working to create first.
Lt, herron, Lee Matthews and another officer were also present and showing support for watch group.
Erica provided stats about trenton, nj and morrisville, pa, pros vs cons of both as well as update on types of crimes most prevelent and gave parents signs to look for regarding teen drug use which leads to more crime and domestic disturbance.
Explained the process and time involved when someone arrested and waiting to go before judge and how that leaves officers short on street's.
Know your neighbors, report suspicious activity, if real emergency call 911 if non emergency call 215.295.8111. Dont ever feel bad about calling police.
When able always use home phone to reduce response times and provide info regarding your location. Cell phones in morrisville will typically be routed to NJ dispatch first, delays local response time.
Things to listen or look for...someone screaming or yelling for help, someone peering into unattended cars , Property being removed from homes when nobody home, Vans or trucks moving slow and up and down street that dont belong, abandoned cars, strangers sitting in parked cars, etc.
Be sure to give good descriptions, sex, race, age, height, weight etc.
We have approx, 9000 residents, 8 fulltime and 5 parttime officers, 2 per shift per day, bare minimum manpower.
Be careful warming cars up in winter, always lock cars and doors.
Trenton has large gang activity, 100 officers laid off last year, 33 deaths up to august this year, highest reported.
Gangs are in morrisville, drug activity spilling over bridge.
Like the Morrisville Borough police Department Facebook page. They will post info as soon as available or feasible.
Nice post. Thank you. This meeting was a wonderful start.
"Bullet points" Hilarious.
The only way to make morrisville better is to merge the schools with Pennsbury and burn down the bridges to Trenton.
Then it might get better but judging by the comments on this blog I am sure there are more then a few genetic weaklings in this town.
You must enjoy it or you wouldn't be participating.
He did a full spread, it was weird, ....
I spread my butt cheeks a part and everything.
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