Police restricting contact while providing services

LOWER POTTSGROVE » Efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus had led local police departments to scale back on how they respond to calls for service.

Many have posted messages telling people that in some cases, an officer may not respond in person, depending upon the nature of the call.

In the case of an emergency, you should still call 9-1-1.

However, “non-priority cases that do not require a police officer to meet you face-to-face will be handled by a phone call. If the situation dictates a police response, the officer will coordinate with you to meet outside your home or business,” Lower Pottsgrove Police Chief Michael Foltz posted on the department’s Crimewatch page.

Lower Pottsgrove has also announced the launch of a new on-line reporting platform for non-emergency calls to police to limit in-person contact.

“For all non-emergency incidents, the Lower Pottsgrove Township Police Department has launched crimewatch.net/l/117748, a new quick online reporting link,” according to the announcement.

“By utilizing online reporting, you can:

• Contact the Lower Pottsgrove Township Police Department Maintain social distance and help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS

• Receive an automated e-mail receipt and reference number

• Be contacted by a police officer regarding your submission.”

If an in-person visit by an officer is required, “we ask that everyone respect the social distancing recommendation from Center for Disease Control of maintaining a six-foot barrier between the officers and yourself,” wrote Foltz.

“Our officers will not be responding to medical assists unless it is a lifethreatening emergency or the result of a criminal act, unless requested by our EMS providers,” Foltz continued.

“In the event an officer does respond, they have been instructed on proper protocols and supplied with personal protective equipment to be utilized as needed. Officers will still be responding to medical emergencies such as traumas, cardiac emergencies, etc.,” according to Foltz.

“Lastly, we are encouraging people to refrain from visiting our station in person,” Foltz urged. Those who do, will be asked to wait in the lobby and an officer will come out to meet them.

“Our goal is to mitigate the exposure to the citizens we serve, as well as ensure the health and safety of our staff,” Foltz wrote. “Our police officers are an essential function in keeping our communities safe and therefore we must make certain they stay healthy in order to ensure our availability to serve you effectively.”

Douglass (Berks) Police Chief John Dzurek has announced on the township’s Facebook page that police will evaluate calls for service before responding and officers may call before making an in-person visit.

For those that do, the officer may ask that callers step outside to speak and respect the six-foot distance recommended to prevent spread of the disease.

“Rest assured our officers will not hesitate to respond quickly and ready to take action if the situation arises and that is the appropriate response,” Dzurek wrote.

A similar message was posted on the Facebook pages run by the North Coventry Police Department and Upper Pottsgrove police.

“If your situation can be handled via phone or you just need to speak to an officer, please let the dispatcher know and an officer will call you back as soon as possible,” the North Coventry police posted. “If the officer feels that the call can be handled by phone, an officer will call you instead of responding to your location.”

“We also ask that you please let the dispatchers know if you are exhibiting any signs of cough, fever, or breathing problems,” the Upper Pottsgrove post read.

Similar information was also posted on the Pottstown Borough Police Facebook page.

“This is uncharted territory for all of us and we must work together to minimize the impact on our community,” wrote Foltz.