State police respond to criticism
UPPER TYRONE TWP. – State police at Belle Vernon are providing 24-hour, seven-day-a-week police protection in the township, and, according to police Lt. Sheldon Epstein, they always have. Earlier this week, several township residents complained to the supervisors that the state police are not doing their job. One resident even suggested that residents place 75 to 100 phone calls to the Belle Vernon barracks to get their attention, and if that didn’t work, a Dexter Road man suggested that residents call the state police commander in Harrisburg.
The problem stems from a lack of local police protection, according to township supervisor chairman Jack Fullem. He and supervisor Sam Killinger said residents want a full-time police officer, and the township simply can’t afford one.
In March, police officer Roger Adams quit his post after a number of residents criticized his work hours. Adams, who worked part-time, said he had endured enough of the constant criticism and personal attacks.
Epstein said he wants to assure residents that the state police guarding their area are doing their job.
“We run 24-hour, seven-days-a-week shifts in the Upper Tyrone Township, Lower Tyrone Township and Dawson borough zone,” said Epstein. “Sometimes, residents might say that they called us and it took us a long time to respond, and that’s because we have to prioritize incidents, in terms of seriousness.”
Epstein said that, obviously, accidents with injuries or a crime in which someone is in imminent danger will take priority over something less serious, such as a lost or missing animal.
“Our first obligation is to protect life and property,” he said. “And another thing to remember is that Upper Tyrone is a large township. Our response time differs, depending on what part of the township we are in when we get a call.”
Epstein stressed that a trooper is always assigned to the Upper Tyrone zone from the 40-trooper Belle Vernon station.
He explained that Lower Tyrone Township extends to near Perryopolis, and a trooper in that zone might be some distance away investigating an incident when he or she gets a call in Upper Tyrone.
“By the same token,” Epstein said, “we have assigned coverage in Luzerne Township, (when the township police are off duty), which means that the person covering in the Upper Tyrone zone might be assisting on a major incident in Luzerne Township and can’t leave right away.”
Epstein said the Belle Vernon barracks also covers zones in Franklin and Jefferson townships, but a trooper may have to be pulled from those areas to answer a call in Upper Tyrone if there’s a serious crime or accident happening.
“We are trying to manage our resources as best we can,” he said. “I guess my point is that even though we might be miles away, it is our policy to answer all police calls as quickly and safely as we can.”
Epstein said it’s a big help when local municipalities like Luzerne Township and Fayette City have their own police forces.
“We only have to respond when their police officers are off duty,” he said. “It certainly makes our job a lot easier.”
Epstein said the Belle Vernon station covers a wide geographical area, including West Pike Run Township and Fallowfield Township in Washington County, South Huntington Township in Westmoreland County and Interstate 70, from slightly east of Bentleyville to near the New Stanton turnpike interchange.
Epstein said a major accident on Interstate 70 could tie up several patrols, in addition to the assigned interstate patrols.
“My only point being is that it gets back down to prioritizing what happens to be going on at a particular time,” Epstein said. “But, we do provide routine police patrols for all the areas that are within a zone. People need to realize that we are here to provide them with the best level of service that we can, but, at any given time, they may not know what our other commitments and obligations are because they may not know what’s going on.”
Epstein said the state police do receive a fair number of calls from Upper Tyrone Township, but he also said he is not aware of any so-called “trouble” spots.
He also said that residents who are not in a serious situation need to understand that if they call the state police and they don’t come out right away, they probably are on another call.