State Police Chief Briefs L’waxen Residents
BLOOMING GROVE — Lt. Christopher Paris, commander of the state police barracks in Blooming Grove briefed Lackawaxen Township supervisors and residents on police matters. Paris spoke at this month’s regular Lackawaxen Township meeting held at the Township Building on Urban Road. Supervisors invited Paris after residents attending last month’s regular meeting questioned how residents could find out about local state police actions and their arrest logs.
Residents at that meeting expressed concern about a recent federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) and cooperating law-enforcement-agency raid in a Lackawaxen community development that led to drug dealer arrests. The resident had a hard time finding out details of the arrests to determine if other drug dealers might be near her home in her community development. Paris said that his troopers regularly disseminate arrest and investigation information to all major local media and publication outlets. If other agencies are involved, a resident might have to contact the Pike County District Attorney’s office at (570) 296-3482.
In answer to a question from a resident on whether serious crime is increasing in Pike County, Paris said, “No, we have seen consistent levels compared to last year.” Paris noted that since his appointment as station chief last year, he prioritized crime investigation and traffic safety. Regarding traffic and safety, even without adding new troopers, patrolpersons in Paris’ barracks logged 800 more traffic arrests and issued many more warnings in the past year.
Paris said, “We have a great crew of supervisors. Supervisors and staff have been working harder. We are pleased with results, which we have accomplished without having to impose quotas.”
Paris said that six rookie troopers joined the barracks recently. Orienting and training them into the barracks routine and focusing them to achieve barracks goals are other priorities this year... for complete story, get this week's issue.
