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VIPS - Volunteers in Police Service
It shall be the mission of the Easton Police Department Volunteers in Policing Services to serve the citizens and visitors in an efficient manner. It is our goal to ease the burden placed on city government thus allowing employees of the City of Easton to work towards the goal of raising the quality of life in our city.
Volunteers perform services such as clerical, graffiti documentation, updating Easton's Emergency Operation's Plan, assisting with City events and more.
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As the number of V.I.P.S. increases, so will their duties. The program was established in 2005 with one volunteer. Today there are eight dedicated volunteers.
If you are interested in making a difference in your community, become a member of the Easton Police Department's Volunteer Program.
To become a volunteer:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have no felony convictions, or misdemeanors.
- Some positions require possession of a valid PA Driver's License; possess an acceptable driving record, without criminal traffic violations.
- Be available to contact by phone.
- Successfully pass a background check.
- Be able to donate at least 8 hours a month.
- Refrain from the use of tobacco and alcohol while on duty.
- Complete a VIPS application. Download application
- Bring or mail the completed application to:
Easton Police Department
25 S. Third Street
Easton, Pa. 18042
Attn: Volunteer Coordinator
- Participate in an interview with the Police Department's Volunteer Coordinator.
The Easton Police Department Volunteers are people helping people. To learn more about this program call the Volunteer Coordinator at 610-250-6603.
The importance of the V.I.P.S to the Easton Police Department is their dedication to improving the quality of life for all in the City of Easton. The tasks they perform allow police department personnel to focus on specific projects as the V.I.P.S. performs those tasks which, due to time constraints, inhibit the ability of personnel during the workday to complete their projects.
They also perform tasks in concert with the police department, working as partners such as in the Read It, Record It, and Remove It Anti-graffiti Program. They are a valuable asset to the police department and the city for which they so unselfishly serve.
Chief Larry Palmer
Easton Police Department
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Community Intramural Basketball League
The Easton Police Department and the Greater Shiloh Church have partnered to provide our youth with a basketball league for players 11-13, boys and girls on coed teams during the summer months. The concept was born out of a meeting in the spring of 2007 with Mayor Phil Mitman, Pastor Phil Davis, City Councilman Ken Brown, Deacon Waltar Bright and Chief of Police Larry Palmer in response to some violent incidents of crime.
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The concern of all present was that our younger youth were not afforded the opportunity to play in a summer basketball league as our older teens were. The opportunity for all to play regardless of athletic prowess and the structured teaching of respect, sportsmanship and fellowship to all became the goal of the league. From sponsorship by the Easton Police Department
and Commissioners, coaches and support staff from Greater Shiloh Church, the league will enter its third season in 2009. Many youths have been impacted by this program with very little cost. Due to the hours selflessly dedicated by Greater Shiloh members and staff, the program has increased in the numbers of youth involved. The 2009 league will feature eight teams with fifteen youth per team. With two games per week and periodic practices, our 11-13 year old youth have a structured activity and socialization from June to August.
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Cops - n - Kids
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The Easton Police Department conducts a program called Cops-n-Kids in conjunction with the Easton Area School District that sends Easton Police Officers into the classrooms of fifth and sixth graders in the Easton Area Middle School. The Officers "teach" classes about what it is like to be a Police Officer. The program culminates with a field day outside with many specialty units of local police departments, emergency medical services, medical helicopter units and fire departments demonstrating their capabilities. The program was developed to build a bond with students in the classroom setting and demonstrate the various emergency responder careers available to them.
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Motorcycle Division
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The Easton Police Department Motorcycle Division, under command of Lieutenant Sam Lobb consists of two motorcycle officers that are used to enforce traffic laws, conduct escorts, and fulfill a wide spectrum of duties at many special events in the City of Easton. Our motorcycle program started in 1988 with two Harley Davidson motorcycles. The current motorcycles were purchased in 2009 and are the third set of motorcycles used in the program. All of the Motorcycle Officers have been trained by the Philadelphia Police Department Motorcycle Training Unit. In the early days of the program the unit specifically dealt with the elimination of "cruisers" in the downtown area that gridlocked the main thoroughfares on weekend nights. Since that activity has ceased, the motorcycles are primarily used for traffic enforcement but have a real utility value in a broad spectrum of uses due to their mobility and agility.
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Motorcycle Officer Carl Faulkner, Lieutenant Sam Lobb and Motorcycle Officer Nick Marraccini
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Graffiti Program
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The Easton Police Department encourages residents to report all crimes as soon as possible utilizing the county dispatch system. In an emergency situation 911 should be utilized. The non emergency number of 610-330-2200 should be utilized to report nuisances, crimes not in progress, vandalism, including graffiti and other minor offenses.
When property owners and businesses discover graffiti they should notify the police at the non emergency number. A police officer will respond and will document the vandalism on an Easton Police Incident Report. The incident report will then be forwarded to our Volunteers in Police Services. As soon as available, the volunteers will respond and photograph the graffiti. The property owners will then be encouraged to remove the graffiti.
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If for any reason the property owner is unable to remove the graffiti they should notify the volunteers, contact the Easton Police Department Captain of Field Services at 610-250-6631 or email eastonpolice@easton-pa.gov and arrangements will be made for the city to assist with the removal. The property owner will be required to sign a liability release form releasing the city from all claims, suits, actions, damages and causes of actions which may arise as a direct or indirect result of the actions undertaken by the city to remove the graffiti.
Any questions or comments regarding the above procedure can be directed to Captain Scalzo at 610-250-6631 or cscalzo@easton-pa.gov.
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Captain Mike Vangelo and Chief Larry Palmer paint a garage on the City’s Southside
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