AMITY TOWNSHIP CRIME WATCH, 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: 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 25^th 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: 

1. The new Vice President, Rita Schlenner and Board Member, Dave Smolinsky were announced at the meeting.
2. 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 25^th 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: 

1. The new 2010 patrol calendars are ready and can be picked up tonight before leaving the meeting.
2. 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: 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. A member asked Tom about the barn fire on Amity Park Road. 
6. The Skateboard Park committee met in early January and the group is now off and running.
7. 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: 

1. 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. 
2. The next 25^th 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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: 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. A new updated calendar for next year was passed out to the group.

Police News:   

1. 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.
2. Chief Shuebrook was asked about two recent bomb threats at the Middle    School and the Monocacy Elementary Center. 
3. 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.

 

Meeting Minutes for October 15, 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 scheduled speaker Sheriff Eric Weaknecht and his K9 Unit canceled their presentation due to rain.  Hopefully we can reschedule them for next year during warmer weather. 

Old Business: 

1. The Amity Parade is Tuesday, October 20.  We will meet at Lake Drive by the Tennis Courts around 6:15 p.m.  The Birdsboro Parade is Thursday, October 29.  We will meet at the High School at 6:30 p.m.  The candy for the parades will be purchased on Saturday.  An announcement was made for volunteers to ride in the truck and throw candy out to kids along the parade routes.
2. Last month we had a 25^th Anniversary Committee meeting at Karen’s house.  We need to schedule our next meeting to discuss items we would like to purchase for the event.   More information will be available soon.
3. The Annual Holiday Dinner is scheduled for Friday, December 18 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.  A sign up sheet is on the table to register to come so we can get an idea of how many people are coming.
4. Dianna was interviewed last month about our Crime Watch Organization by the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.  The article should be in November’s issue of the PA Township News.  They will send Dianna a copy hopefully before November’s meeting.  The group was asked to let Dianna know after the meeting if they have any ideas for updating the patrol procedures.

New Business: 

1. Dianna asked for additional volunteers to help at the Tri County Chiropractic Open House on Oct. 24 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  Tom will be there fingerprinting the kids.  We need a few more people to hand out candy and give out Crime Watch information.  There will be free food and free handouts.
2. Dianna received a letter from the Daniel Boone Optimist Club about Community Days that included a $20.00 refund because they collected more money than they needed to pay the Boy Scouts for clean up.
3. Dianna is confirming Judge Timothy J. Rowley for our meeting next March and District Attorney John T. Adams for May’s meeting. 

Police News:   

1. 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. 
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. Halloween Trick or Treat hours are 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.
5. 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.
6. 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.

Meeting Minutes for September 17, 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 FBI Agent Tom Neeson.  He spoke about the qualifications and duties of an FBI Agent and the Organization.  A question and answer period followed. 

 Old Business: 

1. The Amity Halloween Parade is Tuesday, October 20 and the Birdsboro Parade is Thursday, October 29.  Dianna asked the group if they would be interested in having a theme for the parades.  It was suggested to be McGruff’s puppies.  Kathy Fry offered to help make ears for the costumes.
2. The Crime Watch’s 25 Anniversary meeting is Thursday, September 24, at Karen DeFusco’s home at 6:30 p.m.
3. The Christmas Dinner at the church has been confirmed for Friday, December 18.  A sign up sheet is available on the table.
4. Dianna spoke about the set up and weather at Community Days.  Carolyn reported that we made $1475.00 this year and gave additional details about the money we made.  There were over 174 raffle prizes for Community Days this year and 6 prizes that were not picked up from last year.  Dianna thanked the Committee and everyone that helped with Community Days.
5. The Election Committee was picked in August.  The committee will be asked to give their recommendations for nominations at November’s meeting.

New Business: 

1. Dianna wished Anna Herrick – Happy Birthday.  Anna recently turned 90 years old.
2. We are working on our plans to finalize our charity status.
3. Dianna will be working on next year’s patrol schedule soon.  She asked that she be contacted if anyone needs to change their patrol days or needs a partner.
4. The Board will be updating our patrol procedures soon and asked the group for any ideas or input next month.
5. Dianna was contacted last week by the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors who interviewed her about our Crime Watch Organization for an article to appear in the “Pennsylvania Township News” on National Crime Prevention.  The article will be available to read on their website www.psats.org next month.
6. Dianna spoke about her ride-along with Officer Gauby last weekend.

 Police News:   

1. Officer Gauby informed the group that the Police Department hired two new officers that will be starting on October 7.  There is a hold on hiring the third police officer. 
2. Halloween is around the corner.  He asks that you keep your home and car doors locked.  He also recommends that you keep your sheds or outdoor buildings locked.  Gasoline stored in sheds has become a target of crime.
3. One person at the meeting mentioned that fireworks go off in her area often.  Officer Gauby said that any fireworks that go up in the air are illegal.  The Police can’t do anything if they are not called or do not catch the people with the fireworks.  He advises that residents should call the police when they are going off.  No call is too small.  They will check it out.
4. There have been problems with people and their animals.  Residents do not know what the township ordinance is for animals.  Animals are not allowed in the parks at Lake Drive or at the Community Park next to the Middle School.   Dogs that are barking more than ½ hour are considered a nuisance.

 Adjournment:   A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Arlene Hiltebeitel and seconded by Dave Holeman.

 Attendance:  Thirty one members and seven guests attended the meeting.

 Respectively Given:  Susan Smolinsky, Secretary of A.T.C.W., Inc.

 

Meeting Minutes for August 20, 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 scheduled speaker, Tom Neeson from the FBI had to cancel due to a case he was working on.  He did reschedule and will speak at the September meeting.   

 Old Business: 

1. The Crime Watch picnic was on July 18^th.  The weather was great and everyone had fun.  A few people even went in the pool.  Jim Emerich took pictures.
2. The August 1st raffle ticket sales went well at Redner’s.  We sold $250.00 worth of tickets.  In June we sold $245.00 worth.  The total amount of advance raffle tickets sold so far this year is $495.00.   Last year we sold $553.00 worth of advance raffle tickets.  Dianna thanked all the volunteers that helped to make the raffle tickets sales successful.
3. The bagging for Community Days will be held Wednesday, August 26^th at the Hyres home at 6:30 p.m.  This is when we form an assembly line to fill bags with donated items to give out at Community Days to people that play our golf game.
4. Pampered Chef orders were due tonight.  We collectively sold $525.00 of Pampered Chef products to earn credit to put towards raffle prizes for Community Days.  We earned $90.00 credit to put towards 6 great raffle prizes.
5. The Amity Halloween Parade is planned for Tuesday, October 20.  Birdsboro’s Planning Commission has not announced the date for the Birdsboro Parade yet.
6. Sheriff Weaknecht will be guest speaker at October’s meeting and will be bringing one of his departments K-9’s with him.
7. Our mini golf outing at Evergreen was a fun night of ice cream once again due to rain.  It seems that whenever Carolyn picks a night for mini golf it rains.  Dianna asked the group if anyone else was interesting in becoming our mini golf coordinator.

New Business: 

1. Dianna turned in Redner’s save-a tape receipts and received $84.95 for Crime Watch.
2. We will hold this year’s Christmas Dinner on Friday, December 18, 2009 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.  Arrival time is 6:00 p.m. and we will eat at 6:30 p.m.  Each couple and family is asked to bring an appetizer or covered dish and a dessert and each single member is asked to bring either an appetizer, covered dish or a dessert.   Crime Watch will buy the beverages and paper products.
3. Dianna asked for three volunteers for an Election Committee to see who is interested in running for any of the position openings for next years officers which are President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary and Board members, Kathy Fry and Arlene Hiltebietel whose terms are ending in December.  She noted that anyone on the Election Committee can not run for any of these positions.  Volunteers are:  Alan Browne, Dave Holeman and Kathy Perkins.
4. The sign up sheets are on the table by the door.  We need volunteers for Community Days.  Volunteers are needed to help set up the game on Friday, September 11th at 3:00 p.m.
5. Officer Devlin and his wife recently had a baby boy.  The birth announcement was passed around.
6. After the meeting, the 25^th Anniversary Committee will hold their first meeting.

Police News:    Tom is on vacation and due to how shorthanded the Amity Police Department is, we did not have a police officer to speak about what’s happening in Amity.  Dianna did let the group know about a group of males going door to door selling magazine subscriptions and entering homes without permission.  One young male was arrested on Mulberry Place who entered a home and would not leave the home after repeatedly being asked to leave.  The 19 year old male was with a group of other individuals who were seen selling magazines again the same day that this arrest occurred.  A similar type of thing occurred in Boyertown and was in the Pottstown Mercury.  The individual arrested in Boyertown was selling fake magazine subscriptions. 

Adjournment:   A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alan Browne and seconded by Kathy Fry.

 Attendance:   Twenty one members and one guest attend the meeting.

 Respectively Given:  Susan Smolinsky, Secretary of A.T.C.W., Inc.

 

Meeting Minutes for July 16, 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 Edward Simser.  He is a licensed Private Detective.   He owns a local Private Investigations Company named “E Street Associates” in Douglassville and investigates insurance fraud.  He is also employed by Unitron Direct Insurance Company.  He spoke about various types of insurance fraud including: auto theft, car insurance fraud, workman’s comp, medical fraud, auto body fraud to name a few.  He discussed red flags that arise to indicate fraud when interviewing people and their secret weapon they use called “ISO”.  It is a clearinghouse of all claims made to insurance companies.  They also check people’s credit history.   Mr. Simser was very informative and answered questions the group had.   

Old Business: 

1. Dianna spoke about the Youth Safety Day event held in June.  Overall everything went well.  Attendance was lower then we anticipated.  The exhibitors all showed that were expected.  Next year’s event is scheduled for May 1, 2010.
2. The next raffle ticket sale at Redner’s is on Saturday, August 1.  Additional volunteers are needed.
3. The bagging for Community Days is Wednesday, August 26 at 6:30 at the Hyres’ home.  Dave Holeman volunteered to count the bags that are down at the Crime Watch office left over from last year.  Dave Smolinsky volunteered to get boxes needed for Community Days.
4. The Pampered Chef orders for the Community Days raffle are due at the next meeting on August 20^th.
5. Sheriff Weaknecht and a K9 will be our guests for the October meeting.

New Business: 

1. The Amity Halloween Parade is scheduled for October 20.  We do not have a date for the Birdsboro Parade yet.
2. Our next mini golf outing at the Evergreen Golf Course is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12^th at 6:30.
3. Dianna was officially told that the Township Supervisor’s did approve paying our Met Ed electric bill for the Crime Watch office.
4. Next year will be the Amity Township Crime Watch Organization’s 25^th Anniversary.  We would like to form a committee and have a special event in the fall next year to celebrate.  Volunteers for this committee are: Karen DeFusco, Alan Browne, Dave Holeman, Kathy Fry, Renee Morris, Dianna Hyres and Susan Smolinsky.
5. An updated calendar of events for the rest of the year was distributed.
6. A get well card was sent to Ray Lauer and a sympathy card was sent to Janet Jobeck.
7. Two general procedures for patrols were read.

-Each patrol shall consist of a minimum of two people.  As you begin your  patrol you must call the Berks County Communications Center.   Identify yourself as a member of ATCW and ask the communications center operator to have the Amity Police Duty Officer contact you by phone if available.  Give the communications center the number of your cell phone     you are using on your patrol.  If the on duty Officer calls, identify yourself  and ask for any special instructions.

         -Patrol routes are determined by the patrol, unless advised by the Amity  Police.  Drive at a normal speed and vary the     route, you do not want to be predictable or conspicuous.  Continuous driving is not required.  Patrols may remain stationary to observe activities for a reasonable length of time.   Patrol breaks are allowed.

Police News:    Officer Gauby informed the group that Chief Shuebrook approved a ride along program with Crime Watch members in the police car with Tom while he is on duty.  He passed a sign up sheet around.  He asked the patrols to continue to check the local schools, Lake Drive and the Amity Garden Apartments.  The police department has been very busy in the township, but it is not criminal acts keeping them busy.  Crime has been low, but traffic violations and domestic calls have been keeping the police busy.  The police department is still working on hiring 3 new police officers.  Hopefully the hiring will be complete by September of this year.

 Adjournment:   A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Arlene Hiltebeitel and seconded by Alan Browne.

 Attendance:  Twenty six members and 3 guests attended the meeting.

 Respectively Given:  Susan Smolinsky, Secretary of A.T.C.W., Inc.