• We believe it is the role of the police to resolve problems through the enforcement of laws, not through the imposition of judgment or punishment.
• We believe the police and the community share in the responsibility for crime control and public safety, and that the role of the police is defined by the community it serves.
• We subscribe to the principle that services will be delivered in a manner which preserves and
  upholds democratic values within our community.
• We are committed to maintaining the highest level of quality service, integrity and professionalism in everything we do, and our capability to achieve is determined by the diversity and quality of our work force.
• We accept the responsibility to react to criminal activity in a way to emphasize prevention and which is marked by vigorous law enforcement.
• We recognize and support the principle that the public has a right to be informed about police operations provided such information does not undermine any ongoing investigations or operations.
• We believe in working collaboratively with neighborhoods and community groups to better understand the nature of their problems and to develop meaningful and cooperative strategies to address them.
• We are committed to managing the public’s resources in the most efficient manner possible.
• We are committed to the belief that no person’s claim to dignity and civil rights is any less than another’s claim, and that neither age, social status, nor race, diminishes entitlement to decent treatment and respect.
• We believe our members to be the greatest and most valuable asset of the department, and the essential  ingredient is to effectively and effectively accomplish the police mission, and  that only through mutual respect, cooperation and teamwork can the community be best served.
• We believe in the equitable, fair and impartial application of laws and ordinances without regard to race, color, creed, sex, or station in life, and in treating all individuals with tolerance, compassion and the dignity we would expect if found in similar circumstances.
• We believe in the preservation of basic human rights and the maintenance of individual human dignity under the rule and spirit of law, which dictates that the ends do not always justify the means and that punishment, is not the function of the police.
• We believe in providing quality, empathetic, responsive and professional services to the citizens and visitors of our community, and we believe the citizens have endowed us with a public trust, a trust we will honor by holding ourselves to the highest standards of professional police conduct.
• We believe in proactive team management, open communication and employee input, and when decisions are made, we realize it is critical that everyone work together toward achieving departmental goals.
• We believe a written policy, including rules and regulations are necessary to guide each member of the department in the performance of their duties.
• We believe all actions taken by department personnel must be legal, professional, reasonable and consistent with the spirit and intent of this philosophy statement, the Constitution of the United States, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the ordinances of the jurisdictions in which we serve.
• We believe that crime and other community nuisances are social ills that we, as police personnel, are incapable of conquering alone.
• We believe to serve in an impartial, courteous, responsive, and effective manner.
• We believe in maintaining an attitude that respects the dignity and rights of those we serve.
• We believe in facilitating open communications with the public.
• We believe in taking responsibility for our actions and are willing to admit our mistakes.
• We believe in professionalism that is the result of a clear sense of perspective and direction, strengthened by teamwork and innovation.
• We will remain enthusiastic and put empathy first and foremost in public and employee relations.
• We believe in promoting community involvement and cooperation.
• We will always be mindful that we are members of the public we serve.

Community Policing

Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies, and a collaboration between the police and the community that identifies and solves community problems. Together, we can enhance the safety and quality of your neighborhood. Together, we can address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime. Trust between the police and the citizens of the community is vital in assisting us with continued effective policing. Meetings between community residents, business leaders, organizations, and the police department are held on a need basis in an effort to reduce crime and foster constructive community-police relations. Crime prevention initiatives are of upmost importance and together, we can make our City a safer place to live.

For additional information, contact Sergeant Rodger Ollis at rollis@coatesville.org.

National Night Out

National Night Out (NNO) is an annual event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, which takes place on the first Tuesday in August. Each year, the City of Coatesville Po lice Department actively participates in National Night Out by rallying community members throughout the City to join with neighbors and police officers to be a part of this annual event. The National Night Out campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials. Today, National Night Out involves over 37.8 million
people and 16,124 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.

National Night Out is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

The introduction of National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” in 1984 began an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. The traditional “lights on” campaign and symbolic front porch vigils turned into a celebration across America with various events and activities including, but not limited to, block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars, in effort to heighten awareness and enhance community relations.

Shop with a Cop

The City of Coatesville Police Department’s “Shop with a Cop” program is an annual event held every December, since 2003. The Shop with a Cop program joins underprivileged children with local police officers providing the children with money to shop for presents for themselves and their families. Shop with Cop programs continue to break down the barriers between the community and the police with the intent of developing a more trusting relationship between police officers, the community, and children. Officers taking underprivileged kids shopping for Christmas presents shows children that the police are their friends and are always there to help, and this interaction can make a lasting impression. Giving a child a present, when they wouldn’t have , is such a rewarding experience for the child and the police officer.

The purpose of the event is to foster positive relationships between youth and police officers. Young elementary-aged children of misfortune, are selected each year, on a referral basis, to shop at Walmart to purchase gifts for themselves and their families. Each child is given a set amount of money to spend, and each child is assigned to a police officer, who then escorts them around the store and assists in selecting appropriate gifts to purchase. After shopping, the children are treated to a catered lunch party, have their gifts wrapped, and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

Anti-Graffiti and Urban Blight Remediation

Graffiti is regarded by most as a form of criminal damage and can be defined as any inscription, marking, writing, painting or drawing, illicitly scratched, scribbled, drawn, cut, carved, posted, pasted sprayed or painted on any surface. The surface upon which the graffiti is applied is normally vertical and in public view, because those who apply their tags or ‘works of art’ want them to be seen. Graffiti is applied to stationary objects such as walls, fences, trees, street furniture and street cabinets and also to moving objects, such as railway carriages, buses and commercial vehicles.

Graffiti can affect a community in several ways: direct attacks on our personal property, such as the walls and fences of our homes; and the misery of living in a neighborhood that has been blighted by a high prevalence of tagging or urban decay.

The “Broken Windows” theory is defined as a criminologist theory of the norm-setting and signaling effect of urban disorder and vandalism on additional crime and anti-social behavior. Under Broken Windows, the thinking is that preventing small crimes, such as vandalism, leads to de-escalation of more serious crimes.

Graffiti has been one of the primary targets of the Broken Windows theory, yet zero tolerance policies, when implemented, have failed to be effective at preventing its spread, even after raising fines and punishments.

The Police Department and numerous community volunteers strive to maintain a sense of order in the City. Please report any graffiti, shoes hanging from wires, illegally dumped materials, and general blight to either  the Police Department (610-384-2300) or the City Codes (610-384-0300). An orderly environment.

For additional information, contact Sergeant Rodger Ollis at rollis@coatesville.org.

GRAFFITI IS AGAINST THE LAW. ANY PERSON WHO PUTS GRAFFITI ON ANY PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF COATESVILLE IS GUILTY OF A CRIME PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR IMPRISONMENT.

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.

Law enforcement chaplains provide a variety of services within the law enforcement community. The role of the law enforcement chaplain deals primarily with law enforcement personnel and agencies. The chaplain responds to these unique needs and challenges with religious guidance, reassuring and trustworthy presence, resources and counseling services. The law enforcement chaplain offers support to law enforcement officers, administrators, support staff, victims and their families, and occasionally even the families of accused or convicted offenders. Law enforcement chaplaincy is a ministry of presence, and have the proper training to work with law enforcement and the community.

Child Passenger Safety Seats

The City of Coatesville Police Department has two certified child safety seat technicians. Sergeant Rodger Ollis and Officer Joe Norcini are able to assist community members that have questions regarding proper seat usage or would like to have their child safety seats checked and/or installed.

In addition, the City of Coatesville Police Department has a child safety seat loaner program. Due to the generosity and assistance of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project, the program is free of charge and seats are offered (while supplies last) to individuals that are in need of a child safety seat. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Sergeant Rodger Ollis at rollis@coatesville.org or by calling (610) 384-2300.

The City of Coatesville Police Department collaborates with the Safe Kids Chester County, led by Office of the District Attorney, Chester County, providing dedicated and caring staff, operation support and other resources to assist in achieving our common goal: keeping your kids safe. Based on the needs of the community, the coalition implements evidence-based programs, such as car-seat checkups, safety workshop and sports clinics, that help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.

For more information please click here.

Child passenger restraint requirements vary based on age, weight and height. Often, this happens in three stages: infants use rear-facing infant seats; toddlers use forward-facing child safety seats; and older children use booster seats. Many laws require all children to ride in the rear seat whenever possible, and most states permit children over a particular age, height or weight to use an adult safety belt. Center for Disease Control and Prevention report whenever you’re on the road, make sure your child passengers are buckled in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, or seat belts. The safest place for children of any age to ride is properly buckled in the back seat. All children aged 12 and under should ride properly buckled in the back seat. Airbags can kill young children riding in the front seat. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat or in front of an airbag.

Know the Stages

Make sure children are properly buckled up in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt, whichever is appropriate for their age, height, and weight.

• Birth up to age 2 – Rear-facing car seat. For the best possible protection, infants and children should be buckled in a rear-facing car seat, in the back seat, until age 2 or when they reach the upper weight or height limits of their particular seat. Check the seat’s owner’s manual and/or labels on the seat for weight and height limits.
• Age 2 up to at least age 5 – Forward-facing car seat. When children outgrow their rear-facing seats they should be buckled in a forward-facing car seat, in the back seat, until at least age 5 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of their particular seat. Check the seat’s owner’s manual and/or labels on the seat for weight and height limits.
• Age 5 up until seat belts fit properly – Booster seat. Once children outgrow their forward-facing seat (by reaching the upper height or weight limit of their seat), they should be buckled in a belt positioning booster seat until seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck). Remember to keep children properly buckled in the back seat for the best possible protection.
• Once seat belts fit properly without a booster seat – Children no longer need to use a booster seat once seat belts fit them properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck). The recommended height for proper seat belt fit is 57 inches tall. For the best possible protection keep children properly buckled in the back seat.
• Install and use car seats and booster seats according to the seat’s owner’s manual or get help installing them from a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

In Summary:

1. Buckle all children ages 12 and under in the back seat. Airbags can kill young children riding in the front seat. Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an airbag.
2. Buckle children in the middle of the back seat when possible, because it is the safest spot in the vehicle.
3. Buckle children in car seats, booster seats, or seat belts on every trip, no matter how short.
4. Set a good example by always using your seat belt.

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. Or visit www.yellowdot.pa.gov or www.mainlinehealth.org/Trauma.

Prescription Drug Drop Off: Medication Collection

The City of Coatesville Police Department, in partnership with the Brandywine Health Foundation, Coatesville Youth Initiative, and the Pennsylvania American Water Authority, has installed a Med Return Drug Collection Unit (Medication Drop-Box) in the lobby of the police department. This box will offer a safe way for residents of the City of Coatesville and the surrounding communities to anonymously dispose of unwanted or expired medication, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, free of charge, and no questions asked. The purpose of the Medication Collection Program is to provide a consistent system for removing unwanted medications from homes and allowing for the proper disposal of these products. Please be sure to remove any personal information from bottles or packages prior to disposing.