Bradford Township Supervisor Chairman Don Cummins announced
Tuesday a confidential tip line for reports on drug-related crime
is now up and running at the Bradford Township Police
Department.
“The initiative was made possible through the cumulative efforts
of Supervisor Steve Mascho, who oversees the police department, and
input from the entire Bradford Township Police Department,” Cummins
said in a press release given to The Era.
The tip line, he said, is part of a new initiative instituted by
the township to combat the increasing presence of crack cocaine and
heroin.
Bradford Township Police Chief Dave Doyle said that officers
will follow up on tips they receive on the line, which can be
reached by dialing 368-FACT (3228).
Currently, Doyle said, the officers do not receive a lot of
drug-related calls from the public, but is hoping the publicity
surrounding the tip line will generate some involvement.
Cummins, who is running for election, said in the press release
that a large percentage of crimes committed are the result of or
related to drug abuse.
Having served with the Bradford Township Police for 36 years,
Doyle said he agrees with Cummins’ that the drug problem as it
exists today is the worst it has ever been in the area.
“Basically, people see it more … people are more open with it,”
Doyle said. “And there’s not much of a deterrent at this time.”
Elaborating, he said the criminal enforcement guidelines end in
punishment that does not fit the crime.
Factoring in the cost to house a single individual in prison,
judges many times concern themselves with tax dollars above what
Doyle said he considers fit punishment.
“With any habit … drugs, including alcohol, prescription drugs
or whatever, they have to feed that habit,” Doyle said. “And it
they’re unemployed, naturally they will steal to get the money and
commit other crimes, like selling drugs, to feed their habit.”
He said the departments want to know about any suspicious
activity in the township’s neighborhoods.
The township police are working closely with the McKean County
Drug Task Force, Doyle said, as well as the Pennsylvania State
Police when necessary.
“With a small department of five full-time and two part-time
employees, we can’t do it alone,” Doyle said. “We need the
community to step up and step forward and say ‘Enough is
enough.'”
“It is our sincere hope at Bradford Township that we can make a
difference in our community by giving youth a chance,” Cummins
said.
