Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Police briefed board on active-shooter exercise; residents raise crossing and bus-stop safety
Summary
Chief Jeffrey Heim summarized an interjurisdictional active-shooter training at Great Valley High School and updated the board on recent arrests. Residents raised concerns about a Fox Hollow Trail crossing and the location of a Great Valley School District bus stop; staff said the township will follow up but does not control bus-stop placements.
Chief of Police Jeffrey Heim told the Willistown Board of Supervisors on May 26 that the police department participated in an interjurisdictional active-shooter training at Great Valley High School involving police, fire, EMS and school staff. Heim called the exercise a valuable learning experience and thanked the board for attending.
During the police report residents asked questions about building plans and surveillance. Mike Kerr asked whether floor plans for the school are available to police; Heim said the department keeps building footprints for township buildings on file as part of emergency planning. Keith Parsons asked whether the school uses video monitors and whether AI tools are being used to identify individuals carrying weapons; Heim said the schools do not currently use AI technology but do maintain an extensive camera network. Supervisor William R. Shoemaker noted civil-liberty concerns regarding AI tools.
Heim also updated the board on department activity, including an arrest for assault and confirmation that a suspect connected to multi-jurisdictional burglaries discussed at the previous meeting is now in custody; detectives are coordinating with other agencies on the investigation. The board also read a thank-you note praising Sergeant Ashe's professionalism.
In public comment, Arline Kerrigan said walking to the Fox Hollow Trail across South Valley Road feels unsafe because of vehicle speeds and sight lines; Director of Public Works Bill Hagan said the department will contact the property owner (The Abbey) about overgrown shrubs and Chief Heim said he will forward the concern to traffic police. Resident Umesh Soni asked about moving a Great Valley School District bus stop that serves Willistown Chase; Chief Heim and Director of Planning and Zoning Caroline O'Connor explained that the township and police do not control school bus stop locations and suggested Mr. Soni contact the School Board; Supervisor Mccarry offered to connect him with three School Board members who reside in the township.
The board did not take vote action on these public-safety comments but directed staff to follow up with property owners, traffic police and school-board contacts as appropriate.
