CLEARFIELD – Lawrence Township Police Chief Mark Brooks reported at Tuesday night’s supervisors meeting regarding three grants the department had been awarded. Brooks also asked the supervisors to approve the promotion of Officer Crystal Panebianco to the vacant position of Junior Sergeant.
Brooks said the department has been dependent upon Senior Sgt. James Glass to fulfill both administrative positions. He explained the senior position is, by design, responsible for conducting individual evaluations regarding officer caseload of criminal investigations; the second sergeant maintains officer efficiency and compliance with all traffic-related responsibilities.
Brooks presented a letter of recommendation from Glass and one from himself regarding Panebianco. Brooks noted that Panebianco is a 16-year veteran officer. He said, “It is my opinion that Officer Panebianco has shown the greatest level of individual drive, investigative competence and overall dedication to agency success that is not often found in this predominately male career field.”
After adjourning to executive session to discuss the requested promotion, the supervisors re-adjourned and approved the recommendation to promote Panebianco to the second sergeant position.
Brooks reported that Officer Elliott Neeper researched and prepared two grant applications, which were awarded. The first was a $2,000 grant from CNB Bank of Clearfield. Brooks said this grant was used to purchase four Windows 7 computer work stations, which have improved reporting efficiency and frees officers for increased patrol time.
Neeper’s second grant award was from the Office of Attorney General’s Community Drug Abuse Prevention program for $2,000. Brooks said this grant provides the department with two Preliminary Alcohol Sensor Testing units. He explained these pocket-sized devices not only accurately analyze breath samples for presence of alcohol, but can also analyze liquid samples, which he said is immensely helpful in accidents to test containers found on scene for alcohol content.
Brooks said a third grant, prepared by Officer Julie Curry, was through Wal-Mart Foundation Local Facility Giving Program for $2,500. He said these funds will be used to fund community policing crime seminars for residents and businesses to educate on violence and crime prevention and personal safety.
Brooks reported that during March, Curry offered a presentation to the Clearfield High School regarding social media misconduct, including cellular phones and the “sexting” trend.
Also, Brooks said, Officer Jon Walker held a presentation to the Clearfield Elementary School regarding fingerprinting and personal safety.
Brooks extended his thanks to the grant providers, particularly to the CNB and Wal-Mart, for their support of the department.