Lititz police report 'near perfect' accreditation assessment and rapid response to 8‑unit house fire

Lititz Borough Police Chief Jared told council on Jan. 7 that an on‑site reassessment for accreditation by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association found zero issues and that the department is expected to be reaccredited for another three years at premier status, a designation the chief said fewer than 1% of agencies achieve.

Chief Jared also described a house fire in the 600 block of South Cedar Street that occurred shortly after 2 a.m. in an eight‑unit row home. Officers arrived in under two minutes after dispatch, deployed fire extinguishers to control the outside fire and prevent spread into soffits and voids, and held the situation until the Lititz Fire Company arrived. The chief said no units were condemned and residents were able to return by the end of the night; he noted officers and firefighters have overlapping membership and training that aided the response.

Council members commended the department and fire company for the rapid response. The chief said a short video of the incident was available to illustrate the response. Council asked whether any families were displaced; borough staff answered that, because the fire was contained to the exterior, no families were displaced and no condemnation was necessary.

Next steps: The accreditation report will be forwarded to the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission for a formal vote at its quarterly meeting; council will receive follow‑up as appropriate.