[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6332692,"mediaKeyId","2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba","parentId",2304887,"title","Committee approves ribbons for Crime Victims Center, annual emergency resolutions and several special events","audioSeconds",101,"startMs",1489000,"endMs",1590000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba&start=1489&end=1590","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba/thumbnail_1489000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332692/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Committee-approves-ribbons-for-Crime-Victims-Center-annual-emergency-resolutions-and-several-special-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332692-e8198e71db1af87723d86ea1848786bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140709&Signature=jbkDhsUVW4aYi~ou0~-iXaueOXQAq2zIr0kSX7WJDtm9gU7XdCPFhpRfYED6xKmZArCYFXWfw3e8vxKtHq~HsgNx6Xg-5VInKvNq6NxYNtAKkkeO728ntP7YG0RGl9FaaGDjd6XSujProYwM~7ArjN9ihzmcvuEiDz50gFTAnxUgyTl3UtwM1zJ1~l0kfQNsG5I8E~n-d1vCVlsmjLUvJO4yspncPkhriENudiwj07acH6AY0trmbG18vy6bbZTH1APCbmr0PNUt7fNQdEBOs6BrvNN6J4A3~ty5EeDw~AUQ3VX8b-9Iiuq2Zm14Rdr2uieQnIuvNai5a1OAUTksAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Borough of West Chester, PA","date","2025-02-13T02:40:35Z","article","The Public Safety Committee approved a set of routine motions related to public events and emergency planning.

Ribbons for Crime Victims Center launch: The committee approved hanging ribbons on lamp posts for the Crime Victims Center of Chester County’s sexual assault awareness-month launch event on April 4. Police Chief Josh Lee, who is also a board member of the Crime Victims Center, said the ribbons will be installed at the start of April and removed at month-end.

Emergency services providers resolution: The committee approved the annual resolution that names the borough’s emergency-service providers. Dave Mortgach, representing Emergency Management, said the providers have not changed in his 28 years of service: law enforcement is covered by the police department, firefighting by the borough’s fire protection and emergency medical service by Goodfellowship Ambulance (as stated in the resolution).

Emergency Operations Plan update: The committee approved the 2025 update to the borough Emergency Operations Plan, an annual requirement Mortgach said is mandated by PA Emergency Management Services; this year’s update changed only a couple of phone numbers and otherwise left the plan unchanged.

Special-event approvals: The committee approved applications for multiple 5K runs and other standard special-event applications. Staff described the documentation the committee expects for routine events: a route map, certificate of insurance, a police services agreement and notification of ambulance standby for events requiring medical coverage.

Votes and outcomes: Each motion was approved by the committee during the meeting; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to continue providing concise event materials in the borough’s SmartGov system and to notify departments when larger events require additional review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety - February 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Safety Committee approved a set of routine resolutions and special-event applications, including a ribbon display for Crime Victims Center of Chester County, the annual emergency services provider resolution, an update to the borough emergency operations plan and several 5K events.","taxTitle","West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71483,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6332693,"West Chester Fire Department reports $220,000 in January property loss; mandates new physicals, studies vehicle cameras",119,301000,420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba&start=301&end=420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6332693/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/West-Chester-Fire-Department-reports-220000-in-January-property-loss-mandates-new-physicals-studies-vehicle-cameras","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332693-72381c0b63305ac6c783778add8cfda7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140709&Signature=PvpWZwU6l1C41h2UJNMMH0QUgPWJqoG5hWcehve4sSm0soogISPELSJxGYJLGUZxNYGeK6oJCPNfFXvZ1HpsHgKJwmz~6a~tnZN6Wpg3UEhZGfJY~hXxZYvR9bllksS8WL1BBwkK~F3tgAF87CT0Ji12KfZrZlp~T1ab2ElxpGlo7tLSH6JH1gVKBvJ9s7AKmYTGSHiUr-mRSKl8eL7lkSy3yXpXfuC3SllFy9kQIstBamaSMpppvIeMEEOiO2kuK2eTNpilN4CLHqMwiNDTf4Q6JDVZxIFiygJhOW-m-cwvPEUnASRVJ9oJIFjRP3s90FBkxwl~xQM~NSgHnFgQQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark Scanlon, chief of the West Chester Fire Department, reported department activity for January and described new personnel and equipment efforts.

Scanlon said the department recorded an estimated $220,000 in property loss in January compared with a pre-incident value the department estimated at $2,800,000, which he attributed to quick response from live-in members and dedicated volunteers. He said members logged about 1,060.3 hours of training and roughly 1,100 hours in additional activities such as fitness and station staffing.

Notable January responses cited by Scanlon included a building fire on East Market Street, house fires on Jacqueline Drive and Rock Creek Road and vehicle fires on Wilmington Pike and Sunset Hollow Road.

The department has implemented mandatory medical physicals for all new members and for current members who serve as interior firefighters, Scanlon said; he said he will discuss whether the change reduces the department’s insurance premium with John Klouser. The department has also formed a committee to evaluate adding vehicle cameras to apparatus, and Scanlon said staff had gathered multiple quotes and are drafting a standard operating procedure for camera use.

Scanlon told the committee that the department saw an increase in fire-alarm dispatches, with 45.26% of responses classified as fire alarms in January compared with just over 41% in December.

Ending: The department will continue committee work on vehicle-camera policies and monitor whether mandatory physicals affect insurance costs.","Fire Chief Mark Scanlon detailed January incident responses, training hours and new personnel policies; the department is evaluating vehicle cameras and said mandatory physicals for interior firefighters are being implemented.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6332698,"West Chester police report major burglary arrest, graffiti case clearances and canine expansion",170,830000,1000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba&start=830&end=1000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba/thumbnail_830000.jpg","/articles/6332698/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/West-Chester-police-report-major-burglary-arrest-graffiti-case-clearances-and-canine-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332698-97d74210220c149b152eda71ba8e9752/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140709&Signature=E8p~FeuTkRpaGBfVEopLUwXme2e5ISuQGZWXiumSvpVdF46QyodomJfLocO55AamL3V8DveEMrEG8V~DFRsYxIL~tljCik5c-Bmh3J-kgzqO57p31sEecR9AHd-P4sm5wEsrvwtQ7HY36kaRPYpY4Ef8GaRcodpgV5eCP4fKRl9c-RHdHD6RmiYUpqLl5aD~O-K8mSFJQtZbpTxFrvbJmVd8fChyFHROlmyMn1Hrotg~5oBhoW1~rbRy~gRbPNlYXQG08yPccK6PVIczVnDbY8WMDpU4An9aexeO901JoP68xX3g8o2VPlitDhJuVnus~AfRIU-S7ar0eiZghVk6ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","West Chester Police Chief Josh Lee told the Public Safety Committee that a recent arrest is tied to a large string of burglaries and that the department has cleared at least two significant vandalism cases.

Lee said officers arrested a suspect, identified as Lawrence Doss, who faces charges connected to more than 30 burglaries. “More than 700 hours of police work was put into this,” Lee said, calling it the department’s largest case in the past year. He said court action is pending and that at least one preliminary hearing was missed by the defendant.

On vandalism, Lee credited Officer Lopez Torres with more than 50 hours of work on a graffiti and burglary case at a converted bridal facility on East Gay Street; that investigation led to charges for burglary and multiple counts of criminal mischief, with court action pending.

Lee also reviewed arrests tied to Super Bowl-related celebrations: three people were arrested in connection with incidents surrounding the event. One person will be charged with damaging camera and traffic-signal equipment; two others were charged with public intoxication. The department has not determined whether the individuals are West Chester University students and expects to report that information next month. Lee said restitution would be sought if convictions result.

The chief also updated the committee on the department's canine program. Odin, a dual-trained patrol and narcotics canine, has been in service about six months and has multiple successful deployments. The department expects to acquire and train a second canine through a purchase order approved earlier by the finance committee; that dog will be dual-trained in patrol and explosives detection and is expected to enter service around June 1.

Ending: Chief Lee said investigations remain active and that the department will continue to report updates at future meetings.","Police chief reported one arrest tied to more than 30 burglaries, graffiti arrests, three Super Bowl-related charges and progress on the department's canine program including a planned second dual-trained dog.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6332704,"Officials weigh engineering changes, study after repeated crashes at Gay and Matlack Streets",429,1609000,2038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba&start=1609&end=2038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba/thumbnail_1609000.jpg","/articles/6332704/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Officials-weigh-engineering-changes-study-after-repeated-crashes-at-Gay-and-Matlack-Streets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332704-d091ba080ee9dffca3d2857e2e052b29/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140709&Signature=R64fC88CQERx0bl67Lv~GQEGa3LYri~U4AY0HUwGf-35U8Db8OYI1kBF~J57-QY7sCTxcgAy9Wnl03ODx6l~94R1nle-nzTpA3tk07oJHlqHn0kvdCSlO4NzyYkqwX9gD3inqv-TTJ-q5VyfYQIE9HgDAllys90Syr2wVdFXFlLr02zg~hjhLQT3uQBeTKG6Zr~~QQvZSvmAlJr05ApiGBbtbM2jTofTq8vT9-yd4ANmLvj1L1540x6ar278iA14XugbLtFYefrsqvYKim9-YrKRzrBxkpVltrW1KeQUt0iGN6CsnATSOlded~U4HG6EDoE9oTcyqToi~lOsFP89Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public works and police officials told the Public Safety Committee they have documented repeated crashes at the Gay and Matlack Streets intersection and discussed engineering and enforcement options to reduce risk.

Bernie Flynn of the borough’s public works committee said painted crosswalk markings at the curve are slippery and that crews are considering replacing them with non-slip thermoplastic. Flynn told the committee that moving the electrical signal box 12 feet to reduce repeated hits would cost about $35,000 and that the box itself costs about $50,000; he said the borough’s insurer would not pay to relocate the box, only to restore it to its prior position.

West Chester Police Chief Josh Lee said data show four reportable crashes at that intersection in the past four years. “All four of those reportable crashes were either criminal — fleeing the police — or DUI,” Lee said, adding that the borough has seen incidents tied to impaired drivers and one case of a person fleeing law enforcement.

Chief Lee cautioned that treatments such as rumble strips or removing painted crosswalk stripes to increase friction ‘‘will not correct’’ the risk posed by an errant vehicle and said the most reliable way to reduce risk during street closures or events is to keep people out of the middle of the street.

Committee members suggested a traffic study and possible consultation with PennDOT because the corridor carries higher vehicle speeds and has a long approach that can encourage acceleration. Residents who witnessed a recent crash described a vehicle that mounted the sidewalk near Country Bagel and came close to pedestrians.

Flynn said the borough has explored thermoplastic resurfacing that would last about four years before needing reapplication. He and other officials recommended beginning with a traffic engineering study to evaluate intersection geometry, pavement treatments and signage, then pursue specific capital work if warranted.

Ending: The committee did not approve capital work at the meeting; members asked staff to scope a traffic study and return with options and cost estimates.","Town staff and police discussed four reportable crashes over four years at the Gay and Matlack intersection, estimated costs for moving damaged signal equipment, and possible countermeasures including a traffic study and non-slip pavement treatments.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6332709,"Parents and committee press for action after near-misses at Hillsdale School crossing",113,106000,219000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba&start=106&end=219","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304887-c66f60bc2582c8acb614eb9897e6daba/thumbnail_106000.jpg","/articles/6332709/West-Chester/Chester-County/Pennsylvania/Parents-and-committee-press-for-action-after-near-misses-at-Hillsdale-School-crossing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332709-70b20d3697d3c9ca41d2f77738819102/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140709&Signature=IAPBqqI2~-jiaaXX1AsrxI601KK~~0toQvi9g2um89blkG~ompK8JzOWi-EZ5HwVSjWU3HIdf9sWQhWBWiv8FMuNU7YjHshS94bBb92lErW~fN9UsLbSXYmyQg8np62RL1OU-Ux9HFGes-uKOwtC8lZuUrfEaiMdELI3di7OCIQDavRcIpRElzc0gf6xt36k~n-5vLtouG2pW3bnm-Bh0UhemLK6TMx06Z0fMepH-nSE2GChFuPe2td-0hP5eHNgAqnDKarMMujSCmG7AyYVznpgm9nTGoiAmsrDpGOU7ryFjghblUN42yAanNrtoOL767TV8Qw2~GXTkMXDR8mN0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kyle Hudson, a West Chester resident, told the Public Safety Committee that he has “personally almost been hit twice” while walking his daughter to Hillsdale School at the intersection of Bradford Avenue and Gay Street.

Hudson said changing traffic patterns, new housing developments and drivers who “blow right through” the stop sign have made the crossing dangerous for children who walk to school. He told the committee that officer enforcement eases the problem but is inconsistent: “When there is a police officer there, people don't roll through the stop sign,” Hudson said.

Lisa Dorsey, chair of the Public Safety Committee, said she exchanged emails with Hudson and has shared his concerns with the police chief. “We will determine what our options are and hopefully be able to share something with you at the next public safety meeting,” Dorsey said.

Hudson said he had contacted other officials and noted a precedent for a crossing guard at the location when state Representative Carolyn Committa’s children attended the school. He suggested volunteer or municipal options for supervision, citing other municipalities that use volunteer fire departments or other arrangements for crossing duty.

Committee members asked whether the West Chester Area School District had been contacted; Hudson said he had attempted to reach district staff and had also spoken with school board member Laura Detre. The committee did not set a specific remedy at the meeting but asked staff and the police to investigate options including enforcement, volunteer crossing guards and coordination with the school district.

The committee recorded the concern for follow-up and planned to report back with possible solutions at its next meeting.

Ending: The committee did not adopt a policy at the meeting; it committed to reviewing enforcement and coordination options and to update Hudson at the next public safety meeting.","A West Chester resident described multiple near-collisions at the Bradford Avenue and Gay Street crossing near Hillsdale School; the Public Safety Committee said it will explore options and report back at next month’s meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves ribbons for Crime Victims Center, annual emergency resolutions and several special events

West Chester Fire Department reports $220,000 in January property loss; mandates new physicals, studies vehicle cameras

West Chester police report major burglary arrest, graffiti case clearances and canine expansion

Officials weigh engineering changes, study after repeated crashes at Gay and Matlack Streets

Parents and committee press for action after near-misses at Hillsdale School crossing