After Big Bust, What Now?

Pottstown Police Chief Rick Drumheller

The second in a series of community meetings about crime in Pottstown was held Monday and this time, there was more information.

That's because when the first meeting was held in February, the investigation into the major gang war that was behind so many of the months of violent events was still under investigation.

But many of those involved have been arrested and this time, those from the police and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office could be more forthcoming -- as the Tweets from the meeting reveal.

Crime on the Agenda

Kevin Steele

About 20 residents showed up a a meeting Monday night, arranged by former borough council
member David Garner and featuring members of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office and Pottstown Police.

First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele (who is the Democratic candidate for DA) and assistant district attorney Jason Whalley, who heads up the county drug enforcement unit, were both there, as was Corporal. Mike Long, of the police Community Response Unit.

Both attorneys said the violence in Pottstown "has our attention" and that efforts are underway to not only combat the street level drug activity, but also those higher up.

Steele talked a bit about the value of cameras in capturing vital evidence and information.

Here's a video on that segment:


All three also spoke about the importance of citizen involvement.

Long said for the past 18 months, the 49-member police department has been down by as much as 14 officers, but staff is back up to full strength.

He outlined efforts re-start the Community Response Unit, which was inactive while the department was short-staff.

You can read all about it in the Tweets below:

From Courage, to Crime, to Art to Trash

Photo by Evan Brandt

The four firefighters honors Wednesday night were Chad Quinter,

Steve Smola, Brad Reinhart and Rick Brendlinger.

Coming off the Thanksgiving holiday, you might think that members of Pottstown Borough Council had their fill of over-eating.

But Wednesday night's work session had a full plate of issues, and presentations.

There were the awards for firefighters for their successful efforts to ave an elderly man from an April fire in the apartments in the old borough hall on King St.

Then there were the awards for the artists who painted store windows downtown for Halloween.

In the wake of Sunday's crime wave, Pottstown Police Chief Richard Drumheller and Mayor Sharon Thomas had some things to say (videos are there for those who care to hear it all).

And Monday night, council will vote on a new 3-year, or 5-year trash contract, choosing from among two regular bidders, J.P. Mascaro & Sons and Waste Management.

You can find out about it all in the Tweets from the meeting found below.

Budgets, Bids and Police Bombshells

Photo by Evan Brandt

A medium-sized crowd gathers at last night's council meeting

Monday night was a pretty busy one at borough council.

Lots of stuff on the agenda; a budget with tax hike will be advertised, the police department is being re-organized, council rejected a bid for the new public works building because they want to see first what Limerick is doing; and Tom Hylton made a case for allowing asphalt and porous pavement sidewalks near those uplifted by trees.

The other big subject was a number of landlords who spoke out against the borough's plans to implement annual inspections of rental properties.

Go ahead, say all that in one breath, I dare ya.

Anyway, here are the Tweets from the meeting. You will also find a YouTube video there of Mayor Sharon Thomas discussing crime and other subjects. I did not video the full mayor's report seeing as I was taking notes, but you can play it right there, you don't have to open a new page.

Crime and Protest

Photo by Evan Brandt and his trusty iPhone

Protesters hold signs calling for the ouster of Pottstown Council President 

Stephen Toroney prior to Monday's council meeting. Toroney declined their inviation.

Blogger's Note: What follows are Tweets and Touts (and one YouTube video) from last night's borough council meeting and the protest (vigil if you will) that proceeded it.

Rather than put it all chronologically, I have grouped the first set of items, about the crime and the protest, all together to make it easier to follow.

Other council business appears at the end.

As always, click the blue bar at the bottom to make sure you get it all:

Council Talks Stormwater, Railroads and Crime

Photo by Evan Brandt

Yeah, I know, this has nothing to do with the council meeting topics other than the fact that these soap box derby cars are on display in borough hall, along with a placard reminding us the race is June 21 on Wilson Street.

So below are the Tweets, along with a few addendums, from last night's Pottstown Borough Council work session.

As always, remember to click the blue "read next page" bar to ensure you don't miss a single thrilling Tweet from the meeting.,