Police Department

Welcome from Police Chief Karyl Kates

Dear Visitor;

On behalf of the outstanding men and women of the East Norriton Township Police Department, I welcome you to our website. It is our hope that you find the information on this site not only informative, but useful as well. The website is now, and will always be, a work in progress. We welcome your comments and suggestions concerning ways in which we can better serve you.

As Chief of Police, I recognize that our partnership with the community of East Norriton is a critical link to the continued success in keeping our township a safe and rewarding place in which to live, work and play. This website is just one example of our desire to provide you with the most professional police service possible. It is the goal of not only the police department, but all of the Township's Departments to pro-actively work together to provide a community that offers all of its citizens the opportunity to grow and prosper in a safe environment.

It is my firm belief that we will not experience the greatest success possible in our war against crime until we maximize our collaborative efforts with the community. While no police department enjoys all of the resources desired to accomplish its crime fighting goals in their entirety, we are blessed with many dedicated, conscientious employees working a variety of roles to "serve and protect" our public. Your Police Department is currently staffed by twenty-six sworn and three civilian personnel. The Patrol Division, of course, is the largest and most visible, but we also have a three member Detective Division and a five member Administration Division.

I hope you enjoy your time spent reviewing this site. It is my wish that you will visit our site often as we continue to make useful improvements designed to serve you better.

Sincerely,

Karyl J. Kates

Chief of Police/Public Safety Director

610-272-0748

kkates@eastnorritontwp.org

"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world...indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

-Margaret Mead

Mission and Value Statement

Mission Statement

The East Norriton Township Police Department is a proud and professional service agency, committed to the preservation of peace, and the protection of life and property in partnership with the citizenry of our community.

Success in the performance of our duties is largely measured by the degree of support and cooperation we receive from the populace. As such it is of paramount importance to secure the confidence, respect, and approbation of the public. We are devoted to our diverse community and will conduct ourselves to the highest ethical standards. We will uphold all laws and ordinances in a fair and equitable manner without bias or prejudice.

We endeavor to provide a working environment which reflects open communication among employees to ensure services are provided with integrity, professionalism, mutual respect and concern.

Value Statement

Leadership

We are leaders in the law enforcement community. We strive for excellence in personal behavior and job performance. We maintain the highest professional standards possible.

Integrity

We do what we know to be "the right thing", adhering to both the spirit and letter of the law. We act in ways to bring honor to the profession and build trust, confidence, and respect with the community and people we serve.

Service

The public is our customer. We serve our customer by responding in a professional, courteous and efficient manner. Proactively, we work in partnership with community members, organizations and other agencies to solve problems and create safe and healthy neighborhoods.

Teamwork

We work as a team, respecting and supporting each other's roles and responsibilities. We encourage and recognize creativity and initiative that furthers the goals and mission of the East Norriton Police Department. We share success

History

1945: At the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the East Norriton Township Board of Supervisors the first discussion took place of how a police officer could be appointed and compensated. Prior to this, the hand written records reflect that a Constable was in place for enforcement of laws and collection of taxes and fines.

1946: Patrick Timmons was hired as the First Police Chief for East Norriton Township. Chief Timmons was compensated $25.00 a month. A police car and police radio was not purchased for Chief Timmons until 1947.

Patrick Timmons was Chief of Police from 1946 until 1951 (no picture available)

1951: Eugene Forrest was hired as Chief of Police but record shows that he resigned one year later in September 1952.

Eugene Forrest was Chief of Police from 1951 until 1952 (no picture available)

1953: James Oliver was hired as Chief of Police. Chief Oliver was first hired in 1952 as a part-time officer upon Chief Forrest's resignation. Chief Oliver was elected by the Board of Supervisors as police chief after graduation from the FBI and County Police Chiefs' Association police school.

James Oliver was Chief of Police from 1953 until 1974

1974: Thomas Melchiorre was appointed Chief of Police. Chief Melchiorre was first hired as a part-time police officer in 1957 and was promoted to full-time status in 1960.

Thomas Melchiorre was Chief of Police from 1974 until

1980: James Cotter was appointed Chief of Police. Chief Cotter was a Lieutenant with the New York Police Department before coming to East Norriton.

James Cotter was Chief of Police from 1980 until 1992

1992: John McGowan was hired as Public Safety Director and then Chief of Police. Chief McGowan was a Patrol Sergeant with the Lower Moreland Township

Police Department before coming to East Norriton.

John McGowan was Chief of Police/Public Safety Director from 1992 until 2010

(A correct and descriptive depiction of the history of the police department is our desire. If you have a picture of Chief Timmons, Forrest or Oliver that you would like to have added to this page, please forward it to Chief Kates at kkates@eastnorritontwp.org)

Pictures from Years Past to Present

Police Department Contact Information and Organization

Contact Information

Mailing Address:

2501 Stanbridge Street

East Norriton, PA 19401

Phone Numbers:

Dial 9-11 to report an emergency, crime in progress, or suspicious activity.

Police Non-Emergency: 610-272-0747

Police Administration: 610-272-0748

Police Fax: 610-277-9209

The Police Department Administration Office is open Monday to Friday from 8:00AM to 4:00PM.

When to use 9-1-1:

"9-1-1" should be used to report any situation that requires immediate response from fire, police or ambulance personnel. DO NOT call 9-1-1 for weather information, household problems, legal advice, nuisance complaints, the time of day, or for any other reason which is not an emergency.

When you dial 9-1-1 the operator will need to know the following:

The phone number you are calling from,
The address you are calling from,
The nature of your emergency, and
Any other information as required.

When dialing 9-1-1 do not hang up, even if you have misdialed the phone. Wait for the operator to reply to your call. Speak slowly and clearly. Many callers tend to become lout or over-excited during an emergency. It is important for everyone concerned that you try to remain calm and provide the operator with the information he or she needs to properly take care of your call.

To report all other police related problems or to request the services of a police officer dial the Police Non-Emergency Number or during business hours the Police Administration Number.

Police Department Organization

The Police Department is organized into two major sections: Administrative and Operations Services.

Administrative Services include those functions that are more support in nature and include Records Management, Financial Management, Professional Responsibility, and Recruiting and Hiring.

Operations Services include the functions that directly provide police services to the community. The majority of police department personnel and resources is focused on Operations and includes Patrol Services, Traffic Safety Services, Criminal Investigations, School Resource Officer Services, and Technical Services.

In a police agency of this size a number of administrative and support type services must fall upon operational personnel as secondary responsibilities, and some operational specialties are performed as a secondary assignment due to the limited frequency.

Administrative Services:

Chief of Police: Karyl J. Kates kkates@eastnorritontwp.org

Lieutenant Operations: Brandon Pasquale bpasquale@eastnorritontwp.org

Detective Sergeant: Peter Mastrocola pmastrocola@eastnorritontwp.org

Administrative Assistant: Vicki Schrack vschrack@eastnorritontwp.org

Police Communications: Kevin Berger kberger@eastnorritontwp.org

Operations:

Detective Sergeant Peter Mastrocola

Sergeant/Detective David Boyer

Sergeant Matthew Brannen

Sergeant Timothy Brennan

Sergeant Michael Myers

Sergeant Craig Walters

Detective William Esmonde

Officer Joseph Carfrey

Officer Anthony Caso

Officer Matthew Cover

Officer Karl Fischer (SRO)

Officer John Gibson

Officer Michael Henricks

Officer Joel Homan

Officer Paul Ladson

Officer Barry Lopoten

Officer David McDermott

Officer Michael Patrick

Officer Matthew Pickford

Officer Orlando Rota

Officer Samantha Smith

Officer Cristie Soto

Officer Lawrence Thomson

Officer Timothy Warner

General Information and Services

ACCIDENT REPORTS

You may obtain copies of accident reports at the East Norriton Township Police Department or via a request by mail. The cost is $15.00 for each report. Photographs on CD cost $50.00. Please make any checks payable to East Norriton Township. Important: the Police Department Office DOES NOT accept CASH. If you want to pay with CASH, you must pay at the Township Administration Building.

POLICE INCIDENT REPORTS

Police incident report copies can be released under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law. Copies can be obtained by completing a REQUEST FORM available at police headquarters or by clicking the right to know link. The charge for report copies is .25 cents per page. Police investigative reports can only be released by subpoena or court order.

PARKING TICKETS & CITATIONS

Parking tickets may be paid via mail by sending a check or money order in the amount of $30.00 along with the parking ticket to the East Norriton Township Police Department, 2501 Stanbridge Street, East Norriton, PA 19401, or in person at the police department office between the hours of 8:00AM - 4:00PM, Monday through Friday. Important: the Police Department Office DOES NOT accept CASH. If you want to pay a parking ticket with CASH, you must pay at the Township Administration Building.

If you desire to plead "not guilty" to a parking ticket and would like to request a hearing, please wait until you receive a citation in the mail; however, please be advised that if you are found guilty at the hearing, the cost will be substantially increased from the cost of the original parking ticket.

All traffic and non-traffic citations must be paid by pleading "guilty" on the citation and sending the fine/costs listed to the District Court noted on the citation. Those who wish to request a hearing for any traffic or non-traffic citation should plead "not guilty" on the citation and then send that part of the citation to the District Court requesting a hearing date.

FINGERPRINTING

Fingerprinting can be performed for Township Residents at the Police Department for employment purposes, name changes, etc., for $15.00.

Non-Re sidents are charged a fee of $30.00. Fingerprinting is done by appointment only. Please contact the Police Department's non-emergency number (610) 272-0748 to schedule an appointment.

Important: the Police Department Office DOES NOT accept CASH. If you want to pay with CASH, you must pay at the Township Administration Building.

We cannot perform fingerprinting for immigration purposes. Please contact your nearest Immigration Department for a listing of offices.

LOCAL RECORD CHECKS

The East Norriton Township will provide local record checks. Fee for this service is $10.00. Important: the Police Department Office DOES NOT accept CASH. If you want to pay with CASH, you must pay at the Township Administration Building.

VACATION NOTICE

If you are planning on going on vacation and would like to notify the Police Department prior to leaving, please fill out a notification form and return it to the Department either by fax (610) 277-9209, by mail or drop the form off at the police department.

BICYCLE REGISTRATION

The East Norriton Township Police Department provides a free bicycle registration program for Township Residents. Bicycle Registration Forms may be obtained at the Police Department Office during normal business hours.

CHILD SAFTEY RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

Officer Karl Fischer is a certified Child Restraint Technician. He received his certification training through Safe Kids Worldwide. Residents looking to take advantage of having their child restraint systems inspected must make an appointment with Officer Karl Fischer. You will need both your vehicle and child restraint systems manuals. Each appointment will take approximately forty-five minutes. During the inspection we will look over the current car seat instillation, make safety changes if needed and discuss other safety concerns. This is a "hands-on" activity and caregivers will be expected to assist Officer Fischer during the inspection/instillation process. Officer Fischer can be reached at 610-272-0748 x 161

Protection and Enforcement

Ideas that we would like to share to help you protect yourself and your home:

Use a deadbolt lock and solid core wood or metal door on all exterior entrances.
Inventory, mark and photograph or videotape all valuables.
Use automatic timers to illuminate your home while you are away.
Lock all windows and doors with locks, deadbolts or bars. Do not forget sliding glass doors.
Trim landscape to reasonable height to provide good visibility which can hinder burglars from seeking a hiding place around your home or apartment.
If possible, obtain an alarm system, or place sensors on first floor windows.
When traveling at night be aware of your surroundings.
If possible carry a cell phone, even if just for reporting an emergency.
Please remember to talk with your children about being home alone and how to safely play outside. Review with them the "stranger danger" rules.
When going on vacation, have your mail and newspaper stopped or ensure that a neighbor will take over the responsibility of collecting it for you. Please stop by or call the Police Station to have a VACATION NOTICE form completed.