Crime Prevention

Wouldn't it be great if we could prevent our citizens from ever becoming crime victims?

At the Abington Police Department, that's our goal. While Abington Township is a very safe place to live and work, crime does happen sometimes. To help prevent victimization, Abington police officers work with residents and businesses to promote

Crime prevention is the science of recognizing what criminals look for and then reducing or eliminating such opportunities in a practical way. The more we can do to make it harder for the thief by increasing the time, visibility or noise factors, the more we are going to discourage him/her from selecting our residence, business, or ourselves as a target in the first place. Thus, we can discourage the thief by being smart enough to reduce opportunity by being prepared.

The Abington Police Department can assist with you with helpful information on ways to safeguard your property and your life. For specific crime prevention tips contact Officer Joe Conover at 267-536-1075.

Citizens & Police Together (C.A.P.T.)

C.A.P.T. (Citizens and Police Together) is a local, non-profit organization which offers financial and volunteer support for many of the Abington Township Police Department's community projects. C.A.P.T. is dedicated to reducing crime and the fear of crime, by strengthening the Abington community through organized community events, educational and awareness programs, and intergenerational activities for youth and adults.

C.A.P.T. also coordinates events and resources which are intended to foster an ongoing partnership between the Abington community and the Abington Township Police Department. Leadership for C.A.P.T. is provided by a panel of community stakeholders representing schools, businesses, health care organizations, local youth, and individual community volunteers.

As such, C.A.P.T. has taken a leadership role in a number of key projects, including the annual 24 Hour Relay Challenge. The Challenge provides funding for community mini-grants as well as Police Department’s programs such as the Citizens Police Academy and D.A.R.E. For more information about C.A.P.T. and its activities, e-mail Community Policing Coordinator Jack Murphy or call 267-536-1071.

24-Hour Relay Challenge

This successful and unique C.A.P.T. program established in 1995 brings together youth and adults in a community fundraising event that occurs in an atmosphere free of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and violence. Participants form 10-person teams with one member continuously walking, running or jogging around a track for 24 hours. Entertainment, food and fun abound in a spirit of community cooperation. Months of planning and preparation go into making this annual event a reality. Students, adults, the Abington School District, and the community all work together, raising funds which improve the Abington community in the form of C.A.P.T. grants and initiatives. For more information about the 24-Hour Relay Challenge, e-mail Community Policing Coordinator Jack Murphy or call 267-536-1071.

Town Watch

Abington Township is fortunate to have a well-established Town Watch program. Dedicated Town Watch members volunteer their time to patrol their neighborhood. Town Watch members report suspicious behavior, making their neighborhoods safer in the process. A Townwatch Council meets monthly to help coordinate the activities of the Township's various active Town Watch groups. For further information, e-mail Townwatch Council President David Rondinelli or call 267-536-1074.

Citizens' Police Academy

To the average citizen, the police profession often seems cloaked in mystery. Public perception can be misguided by the unrealistic exploits seen on TV cop shows or skewed by anti-police sentiments. Here at APD we've learned that the best way to help the taxpayers learn the "inside scoop" about law enforcement is by actually bringing them inside the organization for a ten-week course in modern policing.

Each year the Abington Police Department offers a Citizens’ Police Academy (CPA). In the program, Township residents meet on a weekly basis with Police Officer instructors for lessons on various aspects of the law enforcement profession. Subjects include criminal and traffic law, the police role in the judicial process, APD equipment, training, resources and limitations of the police department. In return, the instructors often find a newly-developed law enforcement awareness among participants, as well as an increased sensitivity to the challenges of 21st Century policing. The increased citizen-police understanding that results from the close interaction of the CPA environment is an excellent vehicle for building bridges between the police and the community.

Not surprisingly, program alumni often volunteer to assist with future projects for APD and the community. Graduates are also encouraged to participate as block captains leading their neighborhood to crime prevention information, awareness and educational programs. For more information or to register for Citizens' Police Academy, e-mailSgt. Daniel Buckley or call 267-536-1077.

Volunteers in Policing (V.I.P.)

In an effort to enhance the police-community partnership, the Volunteers in Policing Program (VIP) combines the professionalism and experience of APD personnel with the creativity and enthusiasm of community volunteers.

It's fair to say that citizen volunteers are one of the Police Department's most important assets. Many of our programs would not exist without the participation of dedicated volunteers. In 2001, for example, citizens donated more than 5,000 hours of their time to the Police Department efforts within the Abington community.

APD provides all training and equipment required for its volunteers. Hours are flexible.

Volunteer Positions:

• Fingerprint technician: does non-criminal fingerprinting
• General Clerical Assistance: assists with clerical duties and special projects
• Community Services Unit Volunteer: assists with Neighborhood Watch and Crime Prevention efforts

Interested citizens are encouraged to e-mail Community Service Supervisor David Rondinelli or call 267-536-1074 for an application or information regarding the V.I.P. program.

Victim Services Unit

The Victim Services Unit assists victims immediately after the crime, assuring that the victim is treated with respect and dignity. Victim Service personnel also help crime victims take their first steps toward regaining physical and emotional well-being.

The Victim Services Unit is staffed by Community Service Officers who provide information on Pennsylvania's Victim Compensation Program and link victims with community resources.

For further information e-mail Community Service Officer Jan Harris or call 267-536-1079.

C.A.R.E. (Crimes Against the Retired and Elderly)

The Crimes Against the Retired and Elderly Unit (CARE) program teaches senior citizens how to protect themselves from becoming victims of crime. C.A.R.E. focuses on preventing crimes that often target seniors as victims. For further information, e-mail Community Service Supervisor David Rondinelli or call 267-536-1074.

S.P.I.R.I.T. (Support Police Immediate Response Intervention Team)

Founded in 1994, S.P.I.R.I.T. provides trained volunteers who ride along with police officers in Abington, Upper Moreland, and Jenkintown. By working directly with the police, S.P.I.R.I.T. personnel are on hand to assist individuals in times of crisis or grief. Over the years, volunteers from S.P.I.R.I.T. have helped with victims of domestic violence, assisted families in crisis, and comforted grieving family members. Even when not riding in police cars, S.P.I.R.I.T. personnel are on call 24 hours per day. For more information, or to inquire about becoming a S.P.I.R.I.T. volunteer, contact the Community Policing Coordinator or call 267-536-1071.