Lower Pottsgrove Awards Police Commendations

At left, Lowers Pottsgrove Police Chief Michael Foltz explains the circumstances of a June 3 strong-arm robbery at the Turkey Hill convenience store solved by, from left, Det. Daniel Kienle, Officer Matt Musselman and Sgt. Robert Greenwood. Next to them are township commissioners Earl Swavely Jr. and Ray Lopez.

A deceptively light agenda for Monday's Township Commissioners meeting gave way to an unannounced ceremony honoring police officers for four major investigations in recent months.

Despite the absence of a previous announcement, there was no shortage of family and well-wishers on hand to laud their achievements.

Here is a breakdown:

May 7, Landis Store Robbery

From left, Lower Pottsgrove Police Chief Michael Foltz, Det. Daniel
Kienle, Officer Scott Burnick and township commissioners
Earl Swavely Jr. and Ray Lopez.

About 9:45 a.m., police responded to the Landis Market on High Street in Sanatoga where Officer Scott Burnick found an elderly woman whose purse had been stolen in the parking lot.

After issuing a bulletin for the suspect, Burnick and Det. Seg. Joe Campbell developed a link between their suspect and the vehicle in which he had escaped. When they approached his home, he drove away and after a brief pursuit, they called it off out of concern for public safety.

but the suspect dumped evidence during the pursuit. With the help of Det. David Kienle, the suspect was arrested.

Here is a video of Chief Foltz describing the incident.

June 20, Meth Lab at Rolling Hills

At about 3 in the morning on June 20, Sgt. Scott Weidenhammer and Officer David Slothower responded to a report of a methamphetamine lab at Apt. 135 of the Rolling Hills apartment complex on Buchert Road.

Sgt. Scott Weidenhammer with his commendation.

They undertook a "knock and talk" procedure by which they simply knocked on the door and speak to the people who answer the door.

They saw enough suspicious activity to ask permission to enter and conduct a search.

Once inside, they encountered a haze and distinct odor identified as precursors to a methamphetamine manufacturing facility. They arrested those inside and evacuated the building, calling in the state police to conduct a chemical search.

They seized drugs and six suspects.

Here is video of Chief Foltz describing the incident:

June 3, Turkey Hill Robbery

Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at about 11:20 p.m. on June 3 at the Turkey Hill convenience store at East High Street and Rupert Road.

There, they found a female clerk who had been shoved aside as a thief stole cigarettes and food items before fleeing the store.

Sgt. Robert Greenwood and Officer Matthew Musselman searched for the suspect, but were unsuccessful. They then obtained a photograph of the suspect from the store's security video and Det. Daniel Kienle used facial recognition software the develop a suspect, who later confessed.

Here is a video of Chief Foltz explaining the crime and arrest:

July 3, Turkey Hill Robbery

Chief Foltz, left, Det. Deniele Kienle, Sgt. Timothy Walters

and township commissioners Earl Swavely Jr. and Ray Lopez. 

One month later to the day, the exact same clerk at the exact same Turkey Hill made the exact same call -- she had been robbed.

When police arrived they found she had a severe wound to her hand. She had been slashed by a man who was armed with a large knife and demanded cash from the register. He cut her, took the money and ran off.

Sgt. Timothy Walters arrived and ordered a search, and after viewing the surveillance video, immediately recognized the thief, which quickly led to the man's arrest.

In other less dramatic business, the commissioners approved a 4,950 square-foot storage building at the Limerick nuclear Generating Station and a 2,696 square-foot clubhouse at the Spring Valley Farms project, now under construction.

The board also took time to note, with regret, the passing of David Updegrove, a longtime volunteer wit the Sanatoga Fire Company, as well as the local historical society. They also thanked the police and firefighters who organized and undertook the honor procession down High Street that marked his passing.

And now here are the Tweets from the meeting:

Police Awards

Catching Christmas Burglars & Other Borough News

Surprisingly Good Photo by Evan Brandt

Two police chiefs, Pottstown Chief Rick Drumheller, left, and Lower Pottsgrove Chief Mike Foltz, right, with Pottstown Police Cpl. Steve Hatfield and Sgt. Ed Kropp Jr. representing the Pottstown force that helped Lower Pottsgrove catch burglars who had stolen gifts from underneath a Christmas Tree on Ivy Lane.

Although the story I will most likely write first out of Wednesday night's Pottstown Borough Council work session is the ongoing debate of the future of the Pottstown Human Relations Commission, I cannot resist here pumping up the tires on a great police story.

Lower Pottsgrove Police Chief Mike Foltz, a class act if ever I saw one, came to the council meeting to thank his Pottstown peers for their overwhelming response to a distraction burglary on Ivy Lane on Dec. 22 2015, during which Grinch-like thieves stole gifts from under a homeowner's Christmas tree.

The thieves fled into the borough and, with a call, Pottstown's finest swarmed the location and caught both suspects.

It's a holiday story in March!

Now, like I did at the Pottsgrove School Board meeting Tuesday night, I also shot some live video, this time of the Mayor's Report, which I have previously recorded and then laboriously uploaded on You Tube.

If you missed it, you can still see it on Periscope by clicking the link among the Tweets below.

Speaking of which, here they are:

Pottsgrove Focuses on Drug and Alcohol Prevention During April Awareness Week

Mercury Photo by Kevin Hoffman

Last year, police conducted a surprise drug sweep at 

Pottsgrove High School but found no drugs.

In its inaugural year, the Pottgrove School District Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team has scheduled several activities in the coming week.

Formerly called a taskforce, the team is comprised of PGSD staff, community agencies, parents and school board board members whose focus is to provide education to students, parents and community in hopes of preventing drug abuse. 

The team also provides support and direction to students and families dealing with drug abuse or addiction. 

"Although we are a suburban community, we are far from immune to the epidemic of teen drug abuse including alcohol," according to a statement released from the district. 

To help drive that message home and spur discussions about prevention and recovery, the team has planned April Awareness Week, from Tuesday, April 22 to Tuesday, April 29. 

This week, which builds on programs already in place at the Pottsgrove High School through the SNAP Academy, will focus on student, parent and community education surrounding drug and alcohol use in our local area and its often devastating consequences.

-- On Tuesday, April 22 the Community Driving Safety Fair will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pottsgrove High School. 

The mock car accident is meant to show the potential 

consequences of impaired driving during prom week and other times.

This event, brought to the community through the SNAP Academy and the school PTA, is a replication of the activities that will be shared with high school students during the day to promote safe driving at the prom.

Community members are invited out to learn about the effects of impaired driving through hands on simulations including opportunities to try the Safety Bug! 

The activities are free and members of the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team will be there to answer questions about Pottsgrove’s promotion of a healthy community.

In cooperation with the Lower Pottsgrove Police Department and the HS SNAP Academy, a mock car accident will be presented to students during the week to show the actual potential consequences of impaired driving. 

This powerful simulation will be yet another reminder to students to make positive and safe choices as they attend the prom and summer festivities.

April Awareness Week also happens to correspond with the Drug Enforcement Agencies National

This week is also the DEA's National Take-Back Initiative

Take Back Initiative for spring. 

-- This program, running on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,  encourages citizens to bring in old or unused prescription drugs for safe disposal. For a site near you, please click here.

On Tuesday, April 29, a Community Connection on Drug Use in Montgomery County will be held at 7 p.m. at the Pottsgrove High School. 

This event, presented by Assistant District Attorney Kelly Lloyd and Detective Holtzman from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office, will discuss current drug usage trends in the area, educate parents on current lingo and drug paraphernalia and offer guidance for parents who are concerned about drug use in the community. 

Parents of students in grades K-5 are encouraged to bring their students for a fun evening of team and self-esteem building activities run by middle school and high school student leaders and staff, so that parents can attend the informational session. 

Community agencies and school staff will be available with resources about drug and alcohol prevention and support for recovery. 

Lower Pottsgrove Police Chief Michael Foltz speaks to the 

media at Pottsgrove High School.

Lower Pottsgrove Police will be in attendance to promote their local prescription drug take back program available 24/7 at the police station.

“We fully support the efforts of the Pottsgrove School District as it works to address drug and alcohol issues," said Lower Pottosgrove Police Chief Michael Foltz 

"We are glad to partner with the district, community agencies, and Risa Ferman of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office to coordinate education and prevention programs and services for the good of the community at large," Foltz said. 

"The influx of heroin into the local area is of significant concern for us," said Foltz. "Although it is not epidemic at this point, particularly in the schools, we all have to increase our diligence and awareness of this increased threat to community well-being. Working together is key to prevention.”