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Marple police report 1,488 April calls; thefts drove most crimes, chief says officers on PGA detail will be fully reimbursed
Summary
The police chief reported 1,488 calls for service in April, 42 reported crimes leading to 17 arrests, and said thefts made up 38% of reported crimes; officers assigned to the PGA Championship will be fully reimbursed plus a $15 hourly surcharge.
Marple Township's police chief told the board on May 11 that officers handled 1,488 calls for service in April and responded to 42 reported crimes that resulted in 17 arrests and 30 charges.
"Once again, theft was at the top of the list of crimes reported," the chief said, reporting that thefts accounted for 38% of reported crimes and that 69% of those thefts were retail‑related. He described recent vehicle replacements after a patrol vehicle was totaled and said two new police vehicles purchased from Marple Ford are now in service or being outfitted.
The chief told commissioners that a grant (referred to in the record as an LSADCED grant for just under $140,000) reimbursed prior vehicle purchases and helped offset the department's equipment costs. He also announced personnel changes: Officer Joe Benning completed field training and Officer Joe Varricalli was promoted to sergeant; Sergeant Baylor was reassigned to an administrative position to learn duties from Lieutenant Hannigan ahead of a planned retirement in 2027.
The chief said police staffing for the PGA Championship will not compromise local services and that officers assigned to the PGA detail will be fully reimbursed, "plus an additional $15 an hour surcharge," a formula the department developed with the finance director to cover overtime, vehicle use and related expenses.
The board received the report during staff presentations; no formal action was taken on the patrol staffing or grant reimbursement report in the meeting minutes.
