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AMITY
TOWNSHIP CRIME WATCH, INC.
Meeting
Minutes for July15, 2010
The meeting
was called to order at 7:00 p.m. and the “Pledge of Allegiance”
was led by President Dianna Hyres.
The
Secretary’s report was given and accepted.
The
Treasurer’s report was given and accepted.
Presentation:
A bomb sniffing dog and a drug sniffing dog were the featured
attraction at tonight’s meeting. They and their handlers are
part of the Berks County Sheriff’s Department K-9 corps. Crime
Watch members and local citizens watched the dogs sniff out
contraband or other dangerous materials. Both dogs did a
demonstration attack on our Chief of Police, Kent A. Shuebrook,
who has previously worked with police dogs in solving crimes.
When “on duty” they are available for use by various authorities
throughout Berks County and are a key component in solving local
crime.
Old
Business:
- John
Fry has painted half the golf game. Dianna asked for
volunteers to help John move the game after tonight’s
meeting so he can finish painting it.
-
Saturday, August 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will be our
raffle ticket sales at Redner’s in Douglassville.
Volunteers are needed. A sign up sheet was passed around.
- Tom
has three officers that will come and talk about their
specialties at the August, October and November meetings.
- We
have scheduled the bagging night for Community Days for
Thursday, August 26th @ 6:30 at the Hyres home.
Volunteers are needed and a sign up sheet was passed
around. This is a fun filled evening. We fill bags with
all the donated pens, tablets, magnets, etc. that we give
out to each of the kids that play our golf game during
Community Days.
- Our
picnic is Saturday, July 24th at noon at the
Hyres home.
- Crime
Watch will be 25 years old this year. We are planning a
celebration here at St. Paul’s on Saturday, September 25th
from Noon until 4:00 p.m. It will be an indoor carnival.
We have invited other Amity Organizations to participate.
Everything is free. We are going to have our golf game and
we are talking about having a ring toss game also. The
Optimist Club will be participating and will have a type of
ball game. We will hot dogs, drinks, and cake. We will
need volunteers to come and help with the different
activities.
New
Business:
-
Wednesday, August 11th is our next planned
evening of miniature golf at the Evergreen Miniature Golf
Park. We will meet at 6:30 p.m. The rain date is
Wednesday, August 18th at 6:30 p.m.
- It was
decided to add the Township curfew times to the patrol log
sheets.
- One
new member application was approved this month.
Police
News:
Tom talked
about procedures when an officer stops a vehicle. He asked
members on patrol to be aware of kids that are out being
destructive. Recently there has been mischief in the area of
Maplewood Drive and Mulberry Place and has moved to the Cider
Mill Development. A business on Old Swede Road had their ice
machines painted with paint sticks. They are now destroying
property and have escalated to criminal mischief. Patrols are
needed between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. The Township curfew for
children under the age of 18 is as follows:
Township
Curfew:
Sunday through Thursday – 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
– 12 p.m.
Park
Curfew Information:
Hill Drive and Community Center – 11 p.m.
Lake Drive
Recreation Center – 10 p.m.
Tom
announced that four officers from the Amity Township Police will
be attending training classes for four days on child safety
seats in October. Before ending his talk, he asked members to
remember to check on their elderly neighbors that are at risk
during this very hot weather.
Susan
Smolinsky and John Fry talked about their experiences during
their recent ride longs with Tom.
Attendance: Twenty two members and more than 22 guests attended the meeting.
Adjournment:
A motion to adjourn the
meeting was made by Donna Wunderlich and seconded by Carolyn
Browne.
Respectively Given:
Susan Smolinsky, Secretary of A.T.C.W., Inc.
AMITY
TOWNSHIP CRIME WATCH, INC.
Meeting
Minutes for
April 15, 2010
The meeting
was called to order at 7:30 p.m. and the “Pledge of Allegiance”
was led by President Dianna Hyres.
The
Secretary’s report was given and accepted.
The
Treasurer’s report was given and accepted.
Presentation: Officer Tom Gauby demonstrated and discussed securing a crime scene,
collecting and processing evidence and lifting finger prints at
a crime scene. He is one of five officers in
Amity Township that are qualified
evidence technicians.
Old
Business:
- We are
looking for a few additional men to help load the golf game on
Alan’s truck and for set up and tear down at the Carnival on
April 24. We will meet down at the Lake Drive Office at 8:00
a.m. It looks like we have enough coverage for the stand
during the day.
- Youth
Safety Day is Saturday, May 1st. It will be a fun
day for the kids. We are still looking for volunteers to help
at the event. You can help during the whole event or what
ever time you are available.
- We are
looking for volunteers on May 1st to meet early in
the morning to help put the golf game on supports so it is
ready to paint. If anyone is available to help with the paint
detail they should let Dianna know.
- Our new
banner for our 25th Anniversary Celebration is here
at the meeting tonight for everyone to view.
- District
Attorney John T. Adams has postponed his presentation for our
May meeting and has rescheduled for September. He was kind
enough to find replacement speakers for May. Detective
Michael Gombar and Lieutenant Leon Domsic will talk about
crime trends in Berks
County including the Massage Parlor arrests which began in Amity.
- We have
a lot of great events coming up in the months ahead and Dianna
hopes that everyone can attend the meetings and events.
New
Business:
- Carolyn
discussed our Board Member, Kathy Fry’s illness and gave an
update on her condition to the group.
- Crime
Watch membership cards and MrGruff pins were handed out to
members after the meeting.
Police News:
- Chief
Shuebrook was present at tonight’s meeting. He informed the
group that last week there were a rash of car break-ins and
burglaries. It has been his experience over the years, that a
lot of these break ins are occurring because residents are not
locking their cars and homes. He recommends that you keep you
cars and homes locked during the day and at night. He also
recommends that you do not leave your purses and wallets
visible from your front doors and windows. He does not want
residents to be paranoid, but he wants them to be cautious and
to practice securing their homes and property to prevent the
opportunity for these crimes to take place.
Attendance: Twenty five members and 2 guests attended tonight’s meeting.
Adjournment: A motioned to adjourn the meeting was made by Carolyn Browne and
seconded by Donna Wunderlich.
Respectively Given:
Susan Smolinsky, Secretary of A.T.C.W., Inc.
Meeting
Minutes for March 18, 2010
The meeting
was called to order at 7:30 p.m. and the “Pledge of Allegiance”
was led by President Dianna Hyres.
The
Secretary’s report was given and accepted.
The
Treasurer’s report was given and accepted.
Presentation: March’s guest speaker was Judge Timothy J. Rowley. He was elected to
the Berks County Court of Common Pleas in 2007. He spoke about
the diverse types of cases he presides over, the court system
and the Crime Alert Berks County Organization in which he was a
founding member. The meeting was very informative and provided
everyone a better understanding of the judicial system.
Old
Business:
- Our next
event is the Boy Scout Carnival on April 24 at St. Paul’s
U.C.C. Church, Amityville. We need strong volunteers to help set up the golf
game at 7:30 a.m. and
for tear down at 3:00 p.m. Members were asked to let Dianna
know if they are able to help.
- May 1 is
Youth Safety Days at Lake Drive
- May 8 is
the Shredding Event at Redner’s.
New
Business:
- A letter
was sent to the Township Supervisors for reimbursement of last
year’s electric bill which was $138.49.
- The end
of the year summary for 2009 has been completed.
- We are
looking for old crime watch pictures and newspaper articles to
use for our 25th Anniversary Celebration.
- Dianna
asked for volunteers to paint and clean the golf game before
our 25th Anniversary celebration.
- We
received a thank you card from Ray Lauer’s family.
- New
calendar of events were made available at the end of the
meeting.
Police News:
- Officer
Thomas Gauby spoke to the group about crime around the
township. Things have been generally quiet with ongoing
routine investigations, domestic calls and traffic patrol.
- He
recently took Crime Watch member Joe Schlenner out on a ride
along. Joe gave a brief talk about his experience on the ride
along.
- Tom
announced his 6th annual Amity Police Department
Golf Tournament on April 30.
Attendance: Twenty seven members and five guests attended the meeting.
Adjournment: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Joe Schlenner and seconded
by Donna Wunderlich.
Respectively
Given: Susan
Smolinsky, Secretary of A.T.C.W., Inc.
Meeting
Minutes for
February 18, 2010
The meeting
was called to order at 7:30 p.m. and the “Pledge of Allegiance”
was led by President Dianna Hyres.
The
Secretary’s report was given and accepted.
The
Treasurer’s report was given and accepted.
Presentation: This month’s guest speaker is Trooper John T. Yount, a Pennsylvania
State Police Community Service Officer that works out of
Reading. He spoke about the
many ways our state police work with local municipalities. He
discussed the zones and jurisdictions that they cover, training
and the many different resources that the State Police have to
use and assist local municipalities with. Trooper Yount is also
a firearms instructor and has served on the SERT (SWAT) team for
11 years. Due to other professional commitments, Trooper Yount
is standing in for Trooper Edward Maloney who was previously
announced as the speaker.
Old
Business:
- The
Patrol calendars have all been mailed. Let Dianna know if you
did not receive one. Let her know if you need any changes
made.
- Sign up
sheets for the upcoming events were passed out for volunteers
to help at the events. These include the Boy Scout Carnival,
Youth Safety Day, the Community Shredding Event and snacks for
meetings.
- The
following is a tentative schedule for the months to come:
- March
– Judge Timothy Rowley
- May –
District Attorney John T. Adams
- June –
Denine Ebling /Juvenile Probation Officer in
Berks County assigned to
the Daniel Boone School District
- July –
Sheriff Eric Weaknecht and his K-9 dog (weather permitting)
The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m.
- The
next Youth Safety Day Committee Meeting is February 22 @
6:30
- The
next 25th Anniversary Committee Meeting is March
16 @ 6:30.
- The
Boy Scout Carnival is April 24
- Youth
Safety Day is May 1
- The
Community Shredding Event is May 8 at Redner’s.
New
Business:
There was no new business discussed.
Police
News:
Officer
Tom Gauby announced that there continues to be many burglaries
through out the township in homes and businesses. He asks that
you do not leave personal details on your Facebook and Myspace
accounts that let other people know when you will or will not be
at home. Do not announce how much money you get back from
taxes. There have been several barn fires in the township. If
you see vehicles that don’t belong in your neighbor, take the
license number and vehicle make down and call the police to have
them investigate it. He advises everyone to get your cars off
the street during snowy weather or your cars will be ticketed.
This is important for the township to get the roads cleared and
passable. There continues to be many domestic calls in the
township.
Attendance: Eighteen members and eight guests attended the meeting.
Adjournment: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alan Browne and seconded by
Joe Schlenner.
Respectively
Given: Susan
Smolinsky, Secretary of A.T.C.W., Inc.
Meeting
Minutes for January 21, 2010
The meeting
was called to order at 7:30 p.m. and the “Pledge of Allegiance”
was led by President Dianna Hyres.
The
Secretary’s report was given and accepted.
The
Treasurer’s report was given and accepted.
Old
Business:
- The
new Vice President, Rita Schlenner and Board Member, Dave
Smolinsky were announced at the meeting.
- The
following is a tentative schedule for 2010.
-
February – State Trooper Maloney is scheduled to speak.
-
March – Judge Timothy Rowley is scheduled to speak.
-
April – Juvenile Probation Officer – Dianna is still
confirming.
-
May – District Attorney John T. Adams is scheduled to
speak.
-
June – Dianna is still confirming Sheriff Weaknecht and
his K-9 Dog.
-
The next 25th Anniversary Committee Meeting
is January 26 at 6:30 at Alan and Carolyn Browne’s
house.
-
The next Youth Safety Day committee meeting is February
22. We will have a sign up sheet for volunteers to help
at the event at next months meeting.
-
The Boy Scouts Carnival is April 24. We will have a
sign up sheet at next months meeting.
-
Youth Safety Day is scheduled for May 1.
-
The Shredding Event is scheduled for May 8 at Redner's.
New
Business:
- The
new 2010 patrol calendars are ready and can be picked up
tonight before leaving the meeting.
- A
$50.00 donation was approved to give St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church for use of the Church for our meetings and Christmas
Dinner.
Police
News:
-
Officer Tom Gauby introduced new Amity Township Police
Officer Justin Schlottman. Officer Schlottman was hired on
October 7, 2009. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in
Criminal Justice and enjoys traffic enforcement and accident
reenactment. The group welcomed him to Amity.
- Tom
told the group that there has been a rash of burglaries in
the area. Ray’s Tires, Boyer’s Market and several homes
were broken into in various areas of the township. Turkey
Hill in Robeson Township has been robbed almost once a
week. There continues to be domestic calls almost every
night and many vehicle accidents.
- Tom
asked the patrols to watch the Amity Primary Center that is
under construction for unusual vehicles. He described a
vehicle to watch for while out on patrol.
- Chief
of Police Officer Mark Laudenslager and Officer Michael
McDonald from the Springfield Township Police Department in
Northern Bucks County were invited to attend tonight’s
meeting. After reading of the success of our organization
in the article in the “Pennsylvania Township News” they
contacted Tom. Their Board of Supervisor’s is urging them
to set up a crime watch in their area and asked us for
information and help. Chief Laudenslager spoke to the group
and gave us a little background information.
- A
member asked Tom about the barn fire on Amity Park Road.
- The
Skateboard Park committee met in early January and the group
is now off and running.
- Now
that Tom is done training new officers he will start the
ride a longs again.
Attendance: Twenty one members and five guests attended the meeting.
Adjournment: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alan Browne and seconded
by Arlene Hiltebeitel.
Respectively Given:
Susan Smolinsky, Secretary of A.T.C.W., Inc.
Meeting
Minutes for
November 19, 2009
The meeting
was called to order at 7:30 p.m. and the “Pledge of Allegiance”
was led by President Dianna Hyres.
The
Secretary’s report was given and accepted.
The
Treasurer’s report was given and accepted.
Presentation: This month’s speaker was Brent Frampton. Mr. Frampton is looking for
volunteers for a skateboard committee whose goal would be to
keep our skateboard park in good repair, run competitions and
run fundraisers so that the park can be updated and possibly
have security cameras installed to make the place safer. He
would like residents to volunteer to get involved and to use
this as an opportunity to use the skateboard park and other park
resources for family activities. Mr. Frampton explained how he
began a skateboard committee and why he needs more volunteers.
For additional information, check out his web site at
www.amityskateboard.homestead.com.
Old
Business:
- The
Halloween Parades were successful again this year. Sixteen
bags of candy were purchased at a cost of $139.04. The candy
was rationed well and lasted through both parades. It was
agreed by the Board that we should purchase the same amount of
candy again next year.
- The next
25th Anniversary Committee meeting is planned for
Wednesday, January 13 at 6:30 at either Dianna’s or Karen’s
house. The celebration is being planned for Saturday, October
16, 2010.
- The
Christmas Dinner is Friday, December 18 at St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church. The sign up sheet was available for more members to sign up to
attend. The Christmas Dinner will also be our annual meeting.
- The
Nomination Committee Chairman, Alan Browne was asked for the
committee’s recommendations for the December Elections. Rita
Schlenner was recommended for Vice President to replace Dave
Holeman and Dave Smolinsky was recommended to replace Arlene
Hiltebeitel on the Board of Directors. All the other Board
members agreed to keep their positions if no one wanted to run
against them. If there are no additional nominations, the
Secretary will cast the ballot at our December Christmas
Dinner.
- Dianna
received a copy of the “Pennsylvania Township News”. She was
recently interviewed for the article they were doing on Crime
Watch Organizations. A copy of the article has been posted on
the A.T.C.W. web site for everyone to read. Jim did send an
email to everyone on the CPN mailing list.
New
Business:
- Deneen
Ebling, the Daniel Boone Juvenile Probation Officer from the
Berks County Services
Center will be our guest speaker next year in April or June. The date
will be confirmed at a later time.
- An
announcement was made that if a meeting needs to be cancelled
due to inclement weather we will make every attempt to send an
email out and will try to call members that regularly attend
the meetings that do not have computers.
- A new
updated calendar for next year was passed out to the group.
Police News:
- Officer
Gauby informed the group that Chief Shuebrook wanted to
address the group briefly to talk about the skateboard park
due to a problem he had with an article in the Reading Eagle.
He told the group that the skateboard park is not in jeopardy
of being closed as stated in the newspaper article. Limited
drug exposure has been seen at the park. Two previous drug
arrests occurred at the park which is a small problem. There
have been 15 reports called into the police in 11 months which
represent 1.3 reports a month.
- Chief
Shuebrook was asked about two recent bomb threats at the
Middle School and the Monocacy
Elementary Center.
- Tom
advised the group that kids were climbing on the roof of the
primary center and the problem was taken care of to deter it
from happening again. He stated that most of the problems
this month were domestic issues and car accidents.
Adjournment: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by
Alan Browne and seconded by
Kathy Fry.
Attendance: Twenty five members and six guests attended the meeting.
Respectively Given:
Susan Smolinsky, Secretary of A.T.C.W., Inc.
Police News:
- Officer
Gauby introduced Officer Ken Moyer and Officer John Coe to the
group. Officer Coe recently joined the Amity Police
Department. He previously worked at the Berks County
Sheriff’s department. Officer Moyer was a Police Officer in
North Coventry before coming to the Amity Police Department
last year. His specialty is traffic control.
- Tom is
currently in Evidence Tech Training class to be an Evidence
Technician. He is getting additional training to process
crime scenes such as burglaries, suicides, etc.
- Carolyn
Browne recently went out on a Ride Along with Tom. She gave
brief details about her experience on the Ride Along. Tom
likes being able to take residents out so they can see and
experience what the police do.
-
Halloween Trick or Treat hours are 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on
Saturday, Oct. 31.
- While on
patrol, Tom said we should watch out for kids. There have
been a couple of egg incidents in the Township. Speedway Oil
was broken into and there have been a lot of accidents due to
leaves on the roadways.
- It was
suggested to get more people out on patrol on Halloween with
the Crime Watch signs on their cars. Our visibility is a
great deterrent for crime. It would also provide publicity
for our organization as many parents will be out with their
kids.
Adjournment: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by
Alan Browne and seconded by Joe
Schlenner.
Attendance: Twenty two members and five guests attended the meeting.
Respectively Given:
Susan Smolinsky, Secretary of A.T.C.W., Inc.
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