Programs and Initiatives
The Coatesville Police Department is charged with the safety and security of its residents. Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for our citizens by decreasing the amount of criminal activity in the City. Overall the department desires to increase community relations by the development and implementation of programs designed to reach the business owners and residents of the City. We have developed an action plan focused on public education and outreach as core components to the plan. The stated objectives are to: build a foundation of knowledge around community policing concepts; learn about successes and constraints; solicit input from residents to learn about community values and priorities related to public safety; and identify key strategic areas, based on community input, for assessment of existing programs and services throughout the City including best practices, service gaps, emerging issues and resource needs.Responding to the needs of the community, the department hopes to continue to expand the current policing efforts.
Community Policing and Crime Prevention
Community Policing Committee
Meetings between community residents, business leaders, organizations and the police department are regularly scheduled. In an effort to reduce crime and foster constructive community-police relations; areas of concern are addessed, prevention efforts are discussed and crime prevention initiatives are put into place. For additional information, contact Officer Rodger Ollis at rollis@coatesville.org.
Anti-Graffiti and Urban Blight Remediation
Officer Ollis and volunteers strive to maintain a sense of order in the city. Please report graffiti, shoes hanging from wires, illegally dumped materials and general blight issues to the appropriate department within the city. A more orderly environment is a safer environment. For additional information, contact Officer Rodger Ollis at rollis@coatesville.org.
Police Law Enforcement Chaplain Program
The Coatesville Police Law Enforcement Chaplain program was created to work together for the common good of all citizens and to contribute to the nurture and enhancement of members of law enforcement and the community. The Chaplains are committed to serving the citizens and the Police Department during times of crisis, to notify family members of death, to counsel in response to stress or family crisis situations, and to act as a liaison between the Police Department and the community in major accidents and incidents. Through this program, it establishes effective communication between the Police Department and the community it serves.
Emergency Management
In an effort to keep the public informed the Police Department will post emergency management information important to the public such as snow emergencies, road closings etc.
Yellow Dot Program
The Yellow Dot Program is the first of its kind in the state of Pennsylvania. Having enjoyed great success in several states, Paoli Hospital is leading an initiative to offer the Program to the residents of Chester County and its surrounding areas. The Yellow Dot Program is designed to assist Chester County drivers and passengers as well as police, firemen and emergency medical personnel in the event of a motor vehicle collision or other medical emergency. By improving communications during the critical “golden hour” when victims may be unable to communicate for themselves, the Yellow Dot Program can help save lives.
The Yellow Dot Program provides detailed medical information that can be crucial following a collision. Drivers and passengers who participate in the Program receive a Yellow Dot Program Packet, which includes:
- Yellow Dot sticker
- Glove compartment folder
- Medical information form (documents participant name(s), emergency and physician contact information, medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies and prescribed medications. Space is available for identifying photo.)
For consistency and ease of identification, the Yellow Dot sticker is placed on the left side of the vehicle’s rear window. This sticker alerts first responders that the corresponding Yellow Dot Program folder with participant information form(s) is inside the glove compartment of the vehicle. Armed with this information, first responders and emergency departments are able to positively identify the victim, call family or emergency contacts and ensure that a participant’s current medications and pre-existing medical conditions are considered upon treatment of injuries. Paoli Hospital, an entity of Main Line Health, is proud to sponsor the Yellow Dot Program. It is a collective effort of local law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue departments, emergency medical services, hospitals and community members, which is administered by the Injury Prevention and Outreach Program of the Trauma Center at Paoli Hospital. This service is offered to individuals of all ages and is primarily geared toward senior citizens.
For more information, please contact Lisa Eckenrode, Paoli Hospital’s Trauma Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator at 484.565.8328 or email eckenrodel@mlhs.org.