Littlestown Police Crime Prevention

The 9-1-1 Emergency System...

makes an important difference in our community everyday. It is your first source of help in times of crisis and it can mean the difference between life and death. When used properly, 9-1-1 saves seconds and those seconds can save lives. Dialing 9-1-1 is the fastest and easiest way to communicate with local police, fire, and medical services during an emergency. You do this by simply waiting for the dial tone on your telephone, cellular phone or public telephone, then dialing 9-1-1.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR 9-1-1 SYSTEM

WHEN DO I DIAL 9-1-1?

You should call 9-1-1 for these Police, Fire, and Medical Emergencies:

* Crimes in progress or recently occurring

* Suspicious Activity/Person/Vehicle in the area

* Fights, Disturbances, Riots

* Traffic accidents (property damage or personal injury)

* All fires (structures/buildings, vehicles, brush/grass etc.)

* Carbon Monoxide or Smoke Detector Activation

* Any Medical Emergency

What Happens When a Call is Placed to 9-1-1?

A Dispatcher receives all incoming 9-1-1 calls at a work station and quickly determines the nature of the emergency by asking specific questions of you (the caller). The Dispatcher will continue asking you questions -- so remain calm and answer as thoroughly and coherently as possible any and all of the questions.

WHAT INFORMATION DOES THE DISPATCHER NEED?

When you call 9-1-1, tell the dispatcher the following information. Be prepared for the dispatcher to ask questions to clarify your statements.

*The exact location of the incident or as much information about the location and incident as possible.

*The nature of the emergency ("my house is on fire", "my neighbor collapsed and isn't breathing", "someone is in my backyard", etc.)

*How many people are injured, if any.

*A brief statement explaining the incident, if needed.

*Conditions which could make the situation unsafe for responders or bystanders. (weapons involved, chemical releases, disabled vehicles, animals)

*Always remember to stay calm.

Officers require certain information in order to respond effectively to a location to handle a possible criminal matter and dispatchers have been trained to ask the necessary questions. Dispatchers are required to ask questions to clarify information on statements given. Callers sometimes believe the questions are "a waste of their time" and become irate. Dispatchers do not know the personal situations of each resident and are not aware of the floor plan of each house in Adams County. The more complete the information given, the more effective the response. If you are not in a position to give full answers to the call-taker (if the suspect is nearby), stay on the phone (if safe) and the dispatcher will ask you questions that can be answered "yes" or "no". If you find a situation in which it is not safe for you to be on the phone (fight, prowler, etc) dial 9-1-1 and set the phone down. The dispatcher will be listening for background noise and will continue to monitor the call while another dispatcher is sending law enforcement and/or fire and rescue personnel.

WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS WILL I BE ASKED?

Be prepared to describe the persons involved in the incident. This includes their race, sex, age, height and weight, color of hair, description of clothing, and any other characteristics (hat, glasses, facial hair, etc) Be prepared to describe any vehicles involved. This includes the color, year, make, model and type of vehicle (4-door sedan, station wagon, pickup, sport utility vehicle, etc.) If the vehicle is moving, the dispatcher will need to know the last known direction of travel. If the call is a medical emergency, the call-taker will be using a set of Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocol Cards (EMD CARDS). These cards list questions to ask and instructions to give. Listen to these instructions carefully and do not be afraid to ask the dispatcher to repeat something if it is unclear. Listen to the dispatcher's instructions if you are in danger yourself. The dispatcher may tell you to leave the building, secure yourself in a room or take other actions to protect yourself or others.

Special Tips for Senior Citizens or Handicapped Citizens

*Invest in a touch-tone phone with large, easy-to-read numbers. Put a 9-1-1 reminder near the phone which contains your address, phone number, and any other information that may be asked.

*Always dial 9-1-1 for local police, fire or medical emergency assistance. Dialing "0" will not always connect you with a local operator. It may connect you with an operator who is hundreds of miles away.

*The 9-1-1 system allows the dispatcher to "know" where you are calling from even if you cannot speak - for instance, if you are experiencing a stroke or if there is an intruder in your home, Just dial 9-1-1 and leave the phone off the hook. DO NOT HANG UP.

*Keep your medical history taped to the refrigerator in an envelope that is clearly marked MEDICAL HISTORY. Include your full name, address, date of birth, past medical history, medications you are taking, allergies, name and phone number of family doctor, and any other medically related information that may be needed by ambulance, medic, or hospital staff.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH AGENCY WILL ANSWER MY CALL?

When you dial 9-1-1 from a standard land line phone (not cellular phone), the call will be routed to the PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) for the location of that call. When you dial 9-1-1 from a location within Adams County , those calls will always come to the Adams County 9-1-1 Center. The phone instantly sends a signal to a database that provides the subscriber's name, address, and phone number on a screen for our dispatchers. Even though this information is provided to the Communications Center, it is necessary for the dispatchers to ask you to confirm your name, address, and phone number.

IS MY CALL TO 9-1-1 CONFIDENTIAL?

Callers that dial 9-1-1 are not required to give their name/address/phone number to the dispatcher. You will never be forced to give your personal information. However, please keep in mind there may be times when officers/dispatchers require additional information from you after the call is disconnected (ex: more specific information to identify a location or update information that will affect an officer's response). This is the main reason you will be asked to provide your name and call-back number. If you choose to remain anonymous, it will not change the officer's response to your call. All calls (9-1-1 and non-emergency) into the Communications Center are recorded. The recordings are held for a set period of time in case they are needed in a later investigation. The 9-1-1 Center does not release tapes to the public without a court order.

HOW ARE 9-1-1 CALLS PRIORITIZED?

When your call is received, the information is relayed to the appropriate dispatcher with a priority attached. All calls are prioritized to maximize the safety of the responders and the citizens. Calls received earlier may need to be held in order to have officers respond to life-threatening incidents. Calls with a higher priority are usually "in progress". Some examples of these are: burglaries or robberies in progress, disturbances or domestic violence incidents, use of weapon calls, fire/rescue/medical calls, etc.

WHAT IF I ACCIDENTALLY MISDIAL AND REACH THE

9-1-1 CENTER?

DO NOT hang up. Instead, inform the dispatcher that you have reached the wrong number. If you do hang up, the Communications Center will call back the number to make sure everything is alright. If there is no answer or a busy signal, a law enforcement officer will be dispatched. This will needlessly take resources away from genuine emergencies so please stay on the line.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO TELL WHERE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED INSTEAD OF WHERE I'M CALLING FROM?

As stated above, a 9-1-1 Center can only dispatch agencies belonging to its jurisdiction. Where you are calling from could be in one jurisdiction, and the location in which an incident occurred could be another. The Adams County Communications Center can only dispatch for the police and/or fire and rescue departments we serve.

For example, if you are shopping at the Gettysburg Wal-Mart and, upon returning to the parking lot, discover that someone had "keyed" your vehicle. Instead of calling the police at that time, you return to your residence in York Springs, and call 9-1-1 to report the damage. The dispatcher answering the phone will ask where your vehicle was when the damage occurred. When you state "Gettysburg Wal-Mart", the dispatcher will then know which police jurisdiction to direct your report to. In this instance, you may have to return to the Gettysburg Wal-Mart to meet with the officer to make a report.

CAN I FILE A POLICE REPORT OVER THE PHONE?

None of the agencies within Adams County have a Telephone Reporting System. Therefore, in order to file a report, you must meet with a police officer in person or contact the police department by telephone.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A WEAPON?

Potentially, any object could be considered a weapon. Most people, when asked if weapons are involved, immediately think of guns, knives, or baseball bats as weapons. Law Enforcement considers anything that could be used to cause bodily harm; a weapon. Ex: a lamp, a coffee mug, a vase, etc.

WHAT ABOUT THE GUN I KEEP IN MY HOUSE FOR SECURITY?

On high-priority calls, dispatchers will routinely ask if there are any weapons in the house. If the caller advises there is a gun and/or shotgun in the residence, the dispatcher will ask where the gun is located and advise the responding units of this information. (Ex: in the upstairs bedroom, locked in a cabinet, etc.).

Police Officers will not go into a residence in which there is an unsecured weapon. If the caller has the weapon in their immediate possession, the dispatcher will tell the caller to put the weapon(s) away. Law Enforcement personnel will not take the risk of being shot or accidentally shot by a home-owner protecting his/her property. Once the weapon is put away, the dispatcher will probably clarify this information once or twice just to make sure there is no danger to the responding units. It is very important to follow all instructions given and answer all questions asked by the dispatcher handling your call.

WHAT SHOULD I TEACH MY CHILD
ABOUT 9-1-1?

Many 9-1-1 hang-up calls are made by children playing with the telephone. Each time a 9-1-1 hang-up call is received, the dispatcher must immediately call back the phone number to determine if there is an emergency. If there is no answer on callback, law enforcement personnel will immediately be dispatched to check the well-being of any persons at the location.

If, on call-back, there is an answer, the dispatcher will question the person (an adult) who answers the phone to determine if an emergency exists. Dispatchers have been trained to "pick up" on any unusual noises or voice inflections to determine if there is a problem at a location without the caller actually advising the dispatcher.

If a child answers the phone on a call-back, the dispatcher will request to speak to an adult to ensure that everything is okay. Some children are too young to understand what we need (give the phone to an adult), so the dispatcher will still send an officer to respond. The phone line is never disconnected. The dispatcher will talk with the child in an attempt to determine if there is a problem with "mommy or daddy" and will stay on the phone with the child until law enforcement personnel arrive.

We ask that adults do not punish children who call 9-1-1 and then hang up, but rather explain to them that 9-1-1 should only be used in an emergency. If children are punished for dialing 9-1-1, it may scare them from using it in the future, whether they have a legitimate emergency or not. Adams County Communications Center is also available to do tours for children (and adults), so they are able to have a better understanding of 9-1-1. Call 717-334-8603 to schedule a tour.

No one asks to be a victim of crime. Crime hurts. It hurts the individual directly involved, who, regardless of the nature of the crime is often left feeling vulnerable and isolated. It hurts the entire community as it frays the fabric of trust upon which a healthy community depends. Crime, all too often, can leave a victim feeling out of control in any or all areas of their life: physical, financial, emotional, mental, social and spiritual.. In an effort to assist victims of crime in Adams County, the Victim Witness Assistance Program, located on the third floor of the courthouse in downtown Gettysburg, provides a wide range of services to victims and their families. The mission of this county program is driven by the understanding that in the aftermath of crime, with the proper information, resources, and support, an individual can begin to regain a sense of control in their life. This benefits not only the victim, but the community in which the individual lives and works.

Some of the supportive services provided by the staff of the Adams County Victim Witness Assistance Program are: crisis intervention, supportive counseling, trauma education, as well as assistance with filing for Victims’ Compensation. Likewise, since navigating the criminal justice system can seem overwhelming to an individual who has been traumatized by the crime committed against them, a host of services provided by Victim Witness staff support the victim’s informed participation in their case. Some of these specific court related rights and services are: notification of court proceedings, case status information, orientation to the criminal justice process, assistance with gathering information for claiming restitution, systems advocacy, accompaniment to court proceedings, input on pleas and sentencing, and the opportunity to give a victim impact statement in writing or orally at the time of sentencing.

This county program serves all victims of crime: individuals who have suffered a personal injury, individuals who have suffered a property loss; child victims, adult victims; victims of juvenile crime, and victims of adult crime. A case does not even need to be in the criminal justice system, as when a perpetrator can not be found or has died, for this program to serve the victims who are involved

The Adams County Victim Witness Assistance office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm While it is best to call ahead of time, no appointment is necessary. The telephone number is 717-337-9844. In the event of an emergency which occurs after hours or on the weekend, the on-call Victim Assistance Advocate can be paged through County Control at 911.

Crime does hurt. Knowing this, the staff of the Adams County Victim Witness Assistance Program are there to make sure that no victim of crime in Adams County has to deal with the aftershocks of crime on their own.

In talking to supervisors at the Adams County Juvenile Probation Office, the officers have learned that the Littlestown Police Dept. has the dubious distinction of filing more cases with that office than any other police department in Adams County. While this can be seen as "hammering on kids", that would not be an accurate assessment. Rather, an understanding of the juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania would clarify the police department's philosophy and policy regarding the handling of juvenile offenders.

In Pennsylvania, juvenile offenders are handled by one of two means, based on the severity of the offense. In cases that are called summary violations (those minor offenses that, if committed by an adult, would be punishable by up to 90 days in jail, and $300 in fines, and are called summary cases because they are initiated by the officer generally issuing a citation "summarily", or "on the spot.")(1) These offenses would include the vast majority of traffic violations, underage drinking, vandalism resulting in damage less than $500, and similar crimes.(2) In Littlestown, these cases are handled by District Magisterial Judge Daniel Bowman in Bonneauville. Again, for clarity, a juvenile will not be sentenced to serve jail time for the offenses, but upon conviction or guilty plea, is ordered to pay a fine and, if applicable, restitution. In summary cases, parents are not responsible to pay the fines. In the event the juvenile does not pay the fine, the judge refers the case to the Adams County Juvenile Probation Office for collection.

The police in Pennsylvania initiate Court action in more serious cases regarding juveniles by filing a Juvenile Allegation with the Juvenile Probation Office. (Throughout the process, it is helpful to remember the Probation Officers are not policemen, and while they do have the authority to arrest probation violators, their role is to assist the Courts in monitoring and supervising probationers.)

Pennsylvania's Juvenile Act is based on Balanced and Restorative Justice. This concept recognizes that justice can only be served when the community, offender and the victim each receive balanced attention to their needs. This principal seeks to promote safe and secure communities and to transform juvenile offenders into responsible members of society. The Juvenile Court System seeks to have juvenile offenders understand the impact of their crimes, accept responsibility for their actions, express remorse for the harm they have caused, to act to repair that harm, and develop skills to behave productively and responsibly. (3)

Balance-Balanced and Restorative Justice requires balanced attention to three fundamental principles-

#1-Community Protection-Each person who lives, works, studies or simply passes the Borough of Littlestown has the right to be and feel safe. Public safety begins with crime prevention. If a crime is committed, the juvenile must be prevented from re-offending.(3) There are various means in place to accomplish this, at the discretion of the Juvenile Probation Office and the Court. These means include, but are not limited to, release of the child to parents, pre-adjudication confinement (placing the child in a facility prior to the Court deciding if he is a delinquent child or not, and is usually reserved for this juveniles accused of committing felony grade crimes), post-adjudication placement with a number of varying facilities such as Juvenile Detention Centers, Forestry Boot Camps and drug rehabilitation centers. Also, means of monitoring the juveniles whereabouts while he is to be home are in place. These would include, but are not limited to, electronic monitoring (wearing an ankle bracelet that notifies authorities if the subject leaves the residence.) Intense Probation that includes regular telephone accountability to the Probation Officer as to whereabouts and curfew compliance, regular and unannounced drug screening home visits, and face to face meetings with the probation officers. Less intense probation conditions are also used as a means to reduce repeat violation, and can include various forms of counseling, face to face meetings with Probation Officers, and Community Service requirements.

#2-Accountability-When a juvenile (or any person) commits a crime, he injures individual people and robs the community of it's peace and dignity. The youth has an obligation to take responsibility for his actions, and to restore the victim, to the extent possible, to the pre-crime condition.(3) However, according to the Juvenile Act, which sometimes frustrates victims, police officers and judges, the primary concern of the juvenile justice is rehabilitation, not restitution. The juvenile's responsibility toward restitution is based upon his ability and his rehabilitative needs. (3) Parents, in cases involving the Juvenile Act, may be held responsible for willful acts up to $1000 per person or $2500 per event. The final decision to order restitution lies with the Presiding Judge and may be limited by the Juvenile Act.(3) (Adams County President Judge, the Honorable John Kuhn, presides over the vast majority of juvenile cases in County.) Restitution may include payment for medical expenses, insurance deductibles, and property loss, but does not cover pain and suffering.(3) If the judge does not order full restitution, victim have the option of suing the offending juvenile and his parents civilly. (3) Depending upon the amount of loss involved, a suit may be initiated with Judge Bowman in Bonneauville, providing the loss occurred in Littlestown Borough.

#3-Competentcy development-In addition to preventing a juvenile from re-offending, the juvenile justice system must aid young people in acquiring skills to become contributing members of the Littlestown community.(3) Restoration of victims and the community is a vital factor in teaching young offenders to become contributors, and not just takers. Restoration includes, but is not limited to the following-victim input at each stage of the prosecution, restitution ordered, forty hours of community service (3)(rest assured that when Community Service is ordered in Littlestown, there is no fun to be had), the offender apologizes to the victim, usually in writing and face to face, and the community helps provide opportunities for the youth to learn from their mistakes and work as a productive member of that community.(3)

Also, arrest for offenses that are handled by the juvenile authorities (serious offenses such as DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft, simple assault) result in the child being fingerprinting and having a juvenile record that stays with them into adulthood, and is used to help evaluate the adult offender. (4) Being adjudicated delinquent for felony violations (burglary, aggravated assault, rape, possession of drugs with the intent to make a delivery) will result in a felony record that stays with offender for life, and can have serious consequences later in life. Also, if a child is at least 15 years old, and commits a crime using a deadly weapon, a process called "Direct File" will be used, wherein the child will be charged as adult in County Court, the juvenile will be placed in Adams County Jail and the judge can require the posting of bail for his release. (4) Further, upon conviction, the violent juvenile offender will be sentenced as an adult, and can be ordered to undergo confinement in a state prison. These arrests stay with the child for life, and juvenile convictions for felony offenses will result in enhanced sentences for subsequent felony offenses. Also, in certain cases where the child has had extensive involvement with the Juvenile court, and receives additional felony charges that may not involve a deadly weapon, the District Attorney can petition the Court to move the charges to adult court, if the DA can prove the child is not amendable to treatment in the juvenile system. (4) Be assured, that is serious business.

The above is a statement of the philosophy of the juvenile justice system, posted for your information. What will follow will be information and suggestions for parents, grandparents and the community as a whole. Your comments and questions are welcome and encouraged.

Credits
(1) Title 42, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Rules of Criminal Procedure
(2) Title 18, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Crimes Code
(3) Support Services for Victims of Juvenile Crime, Adams County Victim/Witness Assistance
(4) Robert Tomassini, Adams County Juvenile Probation Office

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