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Listed below are some basic question that you may have regarding the police department and their services. Click on the question to find out more information about the subject. If you need further information please contact the department at any time by email or phone.
Emergency
When should I call 911?
How and when should I report suspicious and criminal activity?
What information do I need when calling 911?
What do I do if I am involved in a vehicle accident?
General
How can I obtain a police report?
What is a School Resource Officer (S.R.O.)?
How do I report an animal complaint?
How do I report a lost or found pet?
How do I report a traffic problem?
What are the regulations for canvassing and/or soliciting in West Deer Township?
Am I a victim of Identity Theft? What should I do?
Police Services
Fingerprinting
Child Seat Inspection
House Watch
K-9 Demonstration
Bicycle Safety
Handicapped Placards and Registration Plates
Criminal Record Checks and PA Child Abuse Clearance
Safe Return Resident Identification Program
When should I call 911?
Emergency
In the event you need the services of the Police, Fire, or EMS immediately, please dial 911. If the situation is not an emergency (see examples below), you may want to call the police department direct. If you are not sure if your situation needs immediate attention or not, the best practice is to call 911. It is safer to have trained emergency personnel respond and make that decision. If you have young children please make every effort to teach them how and when to call 911. It is important that young children know that they can call for help in an emergency.
Examples of situations that do not constitute an emergency:
- You need to speak with an officer regarding a prior investigation.
- You wish to obtain information about a K-9 Demonstration.
Examples of situations that are emergencies and require immediate response:
- You have just returned home and found that your house has been burglarized.
- You see or hear something suspicious and feel that criminal activity is taking place.
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How and when should I report suspicious and criminal activity?
Anytime you observe suspicious or illegal events or suspect the occurrence of one, you should report the incident to the police department. Always contact the police as soon as you discover a crime has been committed or is in the process of being committed. Never assume that another observer will make the call, or that there is time to talk the event over with friends and family. Call the police immediately to insure the most effective response to the problem. If the incident has just occurred or requires emergency response to protect life and property, call 911. If the situation is not an emergency, call the Police Department's main office
Many people have questions about what is suspicious activity. It could be a stranger who enters your neighbor's home while your neighbor is away with no apparent lawful purpose, or someone carrying property such as TVs, radios, or stereos at an unusually late hour or in an unusual place. It could be non-public employees using or damaging public utilities. It may also be juveniles out on the street during early hours of the morning. Other suspicious activity is the sound of shattering glass, which could be the sign of a burglary or vandalism in progress. Anyone being forced into a vehicle could be the victim of a possible abduction. In general, any activity which you observe that is out of the ordinary and potentially illegal should be reported.
When you make your report, the police officer or dispatcher will ask for your name, address, and phone number for informational purposes; however, you may remain anonymous and any information you provide will be kept confidential. An officer will gather pertinent facts about what you witnessed, such as what happened, where, when, and who was involved. It is always helpful if you can provide information like names, physical descriptions, facial features, types of clothing, and estimated ages of the people involved. If a vehicle is involved, a physical description as well as the color, model, year, and license plate number are very helpful. Any detail you can remember will greatly assist police in the apprehension of criminals. If you are reporting a crime such as a burglary, breaking and entering, or theft, provide the police with as much information as possible about the property taken, including property value and serial numbers.
After you file your report, remember that the Police Department receives numerous reports everyday and that it may be some time until your report is investigated. Be assured that officers make every effort to quickly and comprehensively follow up on each situation.
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What information do I need when calling 911?
When you dial 911 for emergency assistance, the dispatcher will answer the phone and ask you questions about the emergency. They are:
- Your name
- The address of the emergency
- The telephone number you are calling from
- A brief description of the emergency such as "An intruder is in my house," or "There is an accident at the intersection of Middle Road and Rt. 910."
If you have young children please make every effort to teach them how and when to call 911. It is important that young children know that they can call for help in an emergency.
Emergency dispatchers agree that remaining calm is the most important thing you can do to help them help you. Dispatchers ask standard questions to help them make evaluations, decisions, and forward the necessary information to those responding to your call. The responding emergency service will use this and other information to assign personnel and equipment. In police emergencies, a computer tells the dispatcher which police units are to be dispatched, the name of the subdivision in which the address is located, and the closest intersection to the address. The dispatcher then sends the assigned units to the scene.
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What do I do if I am involved in a vehicle accident?
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and have sustained any injuries or motor vehicle damage which requires the vehicle to be towed, Please call 911 immediately. If there are no injuries and all vehicles are drivable, you may pull your vehicle off of the roadway and call 911. Pulling your vehicle off of the roadway will help to prevent any traffic congestion or hazard which may result in another vehicle accident. If there are any witnesses to the accident, please request them to remain at the scene until police arrive.
If you are involved in a minor vehicle accident (fender bender) with another vehicle and all parties are uninjured and all vehicles involved have been moved off of the roadway, you may exchange information with the other parties and leave the scene. It is up to you to then contact your insurance companies and advised them of the occurrence. Listed below is some information you will need to collect from the other parties involved.
- Drivers name, address and phone number.
- The names, addresses and phone numbers of all passengers.
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- The other vehicles make, model, registration plate number and the damage that was done.
- Insurance company and policy number.
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General
How can I obtain a police report?
Motor vehicle accident reports and police incident reports can be obtained at the police department from the Administrative Assistant, Monday - Wednesday 7am - 3pm / Thursday 12pm - 8pm / Friday 7am - 3pm. Only those persons listed as drivers, victims and/or complainants are entitled to copies. The costs for these items are as follows:
Identification is needed to purchase a report.
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What is a School Resource Officer (S.R.O.)?
The School Resource Officer (SRO) program is the next step in Community Oriented Policing (COP). The SRO is an asset used by the community and the school in an attempt to address situations in the lives of students in a forum other than the judicial system.
The SRO program is a nationally accepted program involving the placement of a law enforcement officer within the schools. the officer is involved in a variety of functions aimed at prevention. Besides being a high profile law enforcement officer, the SRO is a resource for students, parents, teachers and administration regarding law issues. Another duty for the SRO is being a link to other service agencies, which provide preventive and counseling services within the schools. Working hand in hand with the Principals, the SRO assists with finding solutions to problems affecting the school age children of the 21st century.
Some of the basic objectives of an SRO Officer are:
- Creating and maintaining a safe, secure and orderly learning environment.
- Assist the staff with problems that may occur with the child.
- Education through mentoring.
- Enhancement of existing school safety and security measures.
- Conducting regularly scheduled quarterly meetings in order to monitor and alleviate deviant, truant and potentially delinquent behavior.
- Establishment of a closer working relationship with student, staff, and administration.
- Provision of basic law enforcement related services to include, but not be limited to: investigation of all crimes, assist with truancy issues, and act as a liaison between school district and the police department.
- Promote citizen awareness of the law to enable students to become better informed and effective citizens, while empowering students with the knowledge of law enforcement efforts and obligations regarding enforcement as well as consequences for violations of the law.
- Serve as a confidential source of counseling for students and parents concerning problems they face as well as providing information on community resources available to them.
Officer's Loper, Shurina and Gizienski are currently assigned to the Deer Lakes School District (on rotation) and serves as the West Deer Township Police Department’s SRO Officer's. Any questions or requests regarding the program can be directed to Chief Lape or Officer Loper, Shurina or Gizienski.
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How do I report an animal complaint?
If you wish to file a complaint regarding the behavior of an animal (or neglect of an animal), you can do so by calling the West Deer Township Dog Law Officer at 724-265-2870. If the situation is an emergency, and the Dog Law Officer is unavailable, call the West Deer Township Police Department.
Remember - The behavior of an animal is the responsibility of the owner.
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How do I report a lost or found pet?
The Township of West Deer receives numerous calls on lost pets. If your pet is lost, the best way to assure their safe return is to follow the steps below.
- Immediately notify the West Deer Township Dog Law Officer at 724-265-2780 (if not available, notify the West Deer Township Police Department).
- Ask neighbors and local children if they have seen the pet.
- Place an add in the local paper and post sign and pictures of your pet where they can be seen by the public.
Remember - Licensing your pet is always the best way to insure their safe return. Owners failing to maintain a current license for their dog may be fined $300.00.
If you happen to find an animal that you believe is someone's pet, the best practice is to ask your neighbors if they know who the pet belongs to. If you are unable to find the owner, call the West Deer Dog Law Officer (if unavailable, contact the West Deer Township Police) and report the found pet.
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How do I report a traffic problem?
The West Deer Township Police Department investigate numerous traffic complaints and problems each and every day. Any resident that has knowledge of drivers consistently violating traffic laws are encouraged to contact the West Deer Township Police Department regarding the problem. If you witness or are a victim of a traffic violation or road rage incident, please call 911 immediately. Also, please attempt to obtain vehicle information like license plate number and vehicle make, color, and direction of travel. This information will greatly assist the responding officer with their investigation.
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What are the regulations for canvassing and/or soliciting in West Deer Township?
Each person desiring to engage in canvassing or soliciting shall first make application to the Township Police Department. Such application shall be upon a blank provided by the Department and shall contain the following information verified by oath or affirmation for each applicant: what he/she desires to canvass or solicit for; the days, dates of the registrants' canvassing or soliciting; his/her name, home address, a statement as to whether he/she has been convicted of a criminal offense, and if so, the date of conviction and disposition; the make, model, year, color, and registration of the vehicle, if any, he/she will use; a copy of a current drivers license. Signature denotes authorization to conduct criminal history inquiry. The township will conduct a background check based on information received and following that, if all information is in order, will issue to the applicant a permit within one business day from the date of filing the application. Such permit may not be transferred from one person to another.
The principal registrant shall carry the permit at all times when in the township and shall exhibit it to any township citizen or resident or township official upon request. All approved solicitors must prominently display on his/her outermost garment an identification badge, which signifies authorization to solicit within the township for a specified period.
No person shall canvass or solicit in the township on Sundays. No person shall canvass or solicit before 9:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. This restriction shall apply to all persons to whom a permit has been issued.
No person shall canvass or solicit in the township without first obtaining from the Chief of Police, Township Manager or his or her delegate a list of all residences and dwelling units in the township where the owner/occupant of the residence or dwelling unit has notified the township in writing that they do not wish to be visited on their premises at any time by any person performing any canvassing and/or soliciting activity. No person, including a registrant, may canvass or solicit at any dwelling unit designated on such list. Any such written notice from an owner/occupant to the township may be revoked in writing at any time by such owner/occupant.
Please call the Police Department if you wish for your residence to be place on the No canvassing and/or soliciting List.
For further information, please see the Township Of West Deer Code, Chapter 99, CANVASSING AND SOLICITING.
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Am I a victim of Identity Theft? What should I do?
Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses another person's personal information to take on that person's identity. Identity theft is much more than misuse of a Social Security number, it can also include credit card and mail fraud.
How can Someone steal your identity? By co-opting your mane, Social Security number, credit card number, or some other piece of your personal information for their own use. In short, identity theft occurs when someone appropriates your personal information without you knowledge to commit fraud or theft.
Here are some ways that identity thieves work:
- They open a new credit card account using your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. When they use the credit card and don't pay the bills, the delinquent account is reported to your credit report.
- They call your credit card issuer and, pretending to be you, change the mailing address on your credit card account. Then, your imposter runs up charges on your account. Because your bills are being sent to the new address, you may not immediately realize there is a problem.
- They establish cellular phone service in your name.
- They open a bank account in your name and write bad checks on that account.
If you think you have been a victim of Identity Theft, contact the following agencies:
Click on the above links for further information about Identity Theft.
If you have been a victim of Identity Theft, do these three things immediately!
- Contact the fraud department of each of the three major credit bureaus and report that your identity has been stolen. Ask that a "fraud alert" be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted without your approval.
- For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, contact the security department of the appropriate creditors or financial institutions. Close these accounts. Put passwords (not your mother's maiden name) on any new accounts you open.
- File a report with your local police or the police where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report in case the bank, credit card company, or others need proof of the crime later on.
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Police Services
Fingerprinting
Any resident needing to have their fingerprints taken due to employment or membership may contact the West Deer Township Police Department for an appointment. If you were given a fingerprint card by your employer or organization, please bring the card with you along with valid identification.
The West Deer Township Police also conduct sessions at community events where parents can have their child's fingerprints taken. The parent is given the fingerprint card for safe keeping. Any organization wishing to set up a child fingerprinting session is encouraged to contact the West Deer Township Police Department to set up an appointing.
There are NO FEES for these services.
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Child Seat Inspection
- Did you know child car seats are designed to protect and save our children?
- Did you know all children under the age of 8 are required to be secured in an approved child restraint system?
- Did you know the safest place for your children to sit in a car is in the back?
- Did you know children should not ride in the front seat of a car that is equipped with a passenger side air bag?
- Did you know an infant seat should be installed so the baby rests at a 45 degree angle?
- Did you know all car seat manufactures must self certify their seats to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Standards?
- Did you know over 90% of child car seats are installed wrong?
There are numerous tips, adjustments, installation techniques to use in order to make sure your child car seat is properly installed. The West Deer Police Department has a certified child car seat inspector. Sgt. Bill Bailey attended a week long training class and is certified as a Child Car Seat Technician. Residence can call and make an appointment to have their infant, child, or booster seats checked for recalls and to make sure it is correctly installed. This is a free service that the West Deer Police Department offers to residents of the township.
To schedule an appointment, please speak with (or leave a message for) Sgt. Bill Bailey.
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House Check
Any resident that is going to be away from home or on vacation for a long period of time (ex. 1 or 2 weeks) may request a house check be done by the West Deer Township Police Department. While you are away, an officer will visually check your house each shift to make sure that it is secure. If there are any problems, you or your contact person, will be notified. To sign up for a House check, you must complete and sign a House Check information sheet which can be obtain at the West Deer Township Police Department.
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K-9 Demonstration
Police K-9 demonstrations can be arranged for any group or organization that interested in gaining knowledge on the activities of the K-9 unit. Demonstrations are able to be performed on both drug and patrol functions of the K-9. If interested, please contact the West Deer Township Police Department for more information regarding the demonstrations.
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Bicycle Safety
Bicycle safety is an essential practice that young children (and adults) must follow to stay safe while having fun on their bicycle's. Whether riding on the roadway, or in the driveway, everyone must know how to inspect and properly operate their bicycle. To arrange a bicycle safety class or rodeo, please contact the West Deer Township Police Department, Sgt. Bailey or Officer Shurina.
Remember:
Pennsylvania Law requires all children under the age of 12 to wear an ANSI or SNELL approved helmet when operating, or ridding as a passenger, on a bicycle, tricycle, or other pedalcycle.
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Handicapped Placards and Registration Plates
- Handicap placards and license plate applications are available at the police department from the Administrative Assistant. Applications require name, address, social security numbers and date of birth. Once the application is completed, the applicant must take the form to his/her physician for final completion prior to submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
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Criminal Record Checks and PA Child Abuse Clearance
Criminal Record Checks and PA Child Abuse Clearance forms are available at the police department and must be completed and submitted to the proper agency by the applicant. Please see the Administrative Assistant to obtain these forms.
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Safe Return Resident Identification Program
Alzheimer's Disease and dementia effects millions of Americans each year. Victims may become disoriented and lost in locations that were once familiar to them.
In an effort to streamline the return of victims to their loved ones in the event this scenario does occur, the West Deer Township Police Department is implementing a safe return program. Caregivers of individuals who suffer the effects of these disheartening diseases are asked to complete an information form that will be retained by the department. The form provides personal information, any medical conditions they may suffer, specific characteristics that would enable officers to identify them and emergency contact information. We ask that a recent photograph of the patient also be included.
These illnesses are not only devastating to the victims, but their caregivers as well. It is our intention that the information provided will enable officers to identify the patient and return them to their loved ones as expediently as possible. We hope that residence who provide care to Alzheimer or dementia patients will take advantage of this free service.
Please call Pam Tedesco, Administrative Assistant for more information.
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