Berks-Lehigh Police Commission Hopes For April Liquidation

Commissioners recently voted to hire an auctioneer to distribute its assets.

The Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Commission, having voted to retain the services of an auctioneer, is hopeful than an auction to liquidate its remaining assets will take place in April. The Berks-Lehigh Police Department disbanded at the end of last year when Upper Macungie Township ventured on its own to form a township police department. Commissioner Sam Ashmar stated in an e-mail to Patch that the commission anticipates meeting and discussing any contract proposals from auctioneers at its next scheduled meeting. The auctioneer, once hired, will place a value on remaining items including weapons, vehicles and other police-related equipment. The Berks-Lehigh Police Commission voted unanimously to dissolve the regional police department as…

• Photos (1)

Berks-Lehigh Police Commission Hires Auctioneer

An auctioneer will put a value on weapons, vehicles and other equipment that belonged to the now defunct Berks-Lehigh Regional Police force, as assets are divided up.

Correction: The Berks-Lehigh Police Commission has not yet hired an auctioneer. The commission has voted to retain the services of an auctioneer. The Berks-Lehigh Police Commission will continue to meet through the first quarter of this year to continue discussing issues including division of remaining assets and pension plans. The Berks-Lehigh Police Department disbanded at the end of last year when Upper Macungie Township ventured on its own to form a township police department. Last November, Maxatawny Township sued Upper Macungie concerning division of assets. However, Maxatawny solicitors later dropped the lawsuit without prejudice, according to BLPC commissioner Sam Ashmar. Ashmar said that an auctioneer has been hired by the …

• Photos (1)

Police Get $140,000 for Uniforms, Equipment

Upper Macungie Supervisors allot funds for new police department equipment.

The new Upper Macungie Police Department was allotted no more than $140,000 to purchase uniforms and equipment to outfit its officers by Upper Macungie Supervisors Thursday night. "We were as judicious as we could be with costs," said Police Chief Edgardo Colon. "But it's nice to have what we need to look professional." Colon said the funds will be used to purchase everything from uniform pants and shirts, to handcuffs and hats, tp mace and riot gear. "It will be whatever we need to look professional," Colon said. "We need that." Supervisor Sam Ashmar said the total outlay of $971,000 to start the department is less than what it took to join the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Department. Colon said the management team of the department took …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Lifesaving Lessons Learned at Station 56

Youngsters drilled through a weeklong police and fire academy program at Station 56, which culminates in a "challenge" to practice what they'd learned.

Twenty-three local children and teenagers learned lifesaving techniques this week at Upper Macungie's Station 56 during the annual Junior Police Fire EMS program that culminated Friday. "It's changed a little bit, but this year we did police and fire together," said Grant Grim, Upper Macungie fire commissioner, who ran the event with members of the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Department. "Monday, we covered police investigation and firearm safety. Tuesday, we covered first aid, CPR and defibrillation. Wednesday, we covered fire power, fire pumping, hose drag and fire attack. Thursday was a repeat of Tuesday." Friday's exercise, moved indoors due to bad weather, was termed a challenge as students went through a round-robin course of fire …

• Photos (5)

Police Blotter

'Incindiary Device' Found Stuffed Inside a Mailbox

Berks-Lehigh Regional Police find a "device" inside a mailbox on Susquehanna Trail a few days after finding other mailboxes set on fire.

Police officers responded this afternoon to a call about an "incindiary device" stuffed in a mailbox on the 100 block of Susquehanna Trail. The device, which appeared to be homemade, according to Berks-Lehigh police,  was removed without incident by the fire department. This comes days after police chased down mounds of burning toilet paper and mailboxes that were similarly set on fire in the same neighborhood. Police say that although possibly meant as a poorly planned prank, residents should not underestimate the potential danger of these devices. "If a device like the one in this incident is found at your home, the police ask you to contact them immediately. Anyone with information about these incidents should call Berks-Lehigh Regional…

• Photos (1)

Politicians React to Deaths of Charles Snelling and Wife

Friends and associates were stunned to learn that Charles D. Snelling, of Upper Macungie, had killed his wife then himself Thursday at their home.

Friends and associates of Republican political activist and entrepreneur Charles D. Snelling were shocked at Thursday’s news that he had killed his wife, Adrienne, and then himself to end their struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, with which Adrienne had suffered for six years. For instant updates, follow Upper Macungie Patch on Facebook and Twitter. Here is what they said: Dean Browning, a Lehigh County Republican committeeman and former chair of the Lehigh County Commissioners, has known Snelling for about 10 years as a friend, mentor and confidante. He said Snelling had phoned him on Wednesday, saying in a message left on his work phone that he was referring a customer to New World Aviation, where Browning is chief financial officer.  …

• Photos (4)

Police Blotter

Police Report 11 Crimes: March 19 to 25

Berks-Lehigh Regional Police report of citations, arrests and calls for Upper Macungie, March 19 to March 25.

The foregoing information was supplied by the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Department, 610-683-8740. Where arrests are indicated, it does not indicate a conviction.

• Photos (1)

Police Officers told to get Their Résumés Ready

The fate of Berks-Lehigh Regional is still unknown, but Upper Macungie Supervisor Sam Ashmar suggests police officers submit their resumes for a spot on the township's new force.

  After a 75-minute executive session Monday night, the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Commission held off voting on its agenda item – the matter of Upper Macungie's withdrawal from the force. One of the sticking points was what to do about all the police officers. Police association counselor James Gavin told the commission that they should consider that regional officers have a contract that doesn't expire until the end of 2013. Upper Macungie had planned to start its own force by the end of 2012. "If a member withdraws, the contract has an impact on the officers,” Gavin said. “We believe, from our point of view, that our contract is still enforceable and that you must negotiate that impact with the police association." Commission …

• Photos (1)

Police Blotter

Police Issue 91 Traffic Tickets Feb. 13 To Feb. 19

Berks-Lehigh Regional Police report of citations, arrests and calls for Upper Macungie, Feb. 13 to Feb. 19.

 The above information was supplied by the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Department, 610-683-8740. It does not indicate a conviction.

• Photos (1)

Police Blotter

Police Report 80 Traffic Tickets Jan. 30 To Feb. 5

Berks-Lehigh Regional Police report of citations, arrests and calls for Upper Macungie, Jan. 30 to Feb. 5.

 The above information was supplied by the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Department, 610-683-8740. It does not indicate a conviction.

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)