ARTICLE
Tinicum Township Police Foundation was formed in 2018 to support an increasingly complex law enforcement landscape in its rural corner of Upper Bucks County. A day in the life of a police officer includes body armor and dashboard cameras, suicide prevention training, heart attack defibrillators and mobile [field] fingerprint scanners – all important and with price tags to match. The grassroots group wants to fund essential 21st century law enforcement tools without raising taxes across the mostly rural 31-mile Upper Bucks County municipality. “It seemed to be a good benefit on the local level, and we wanted the public to be aware of what we are doing. We want them to know our police force helps and supports the community – they do more than hand out traffic tickets,” said Wayne Hobson, who serves on the Tinicum Foundation’s five-member board. The Foundation wants community involvement by building awareness of its goals. Time, talent and treasure donations are sought to create an ongoing, two-way conversation between the community and law enforcement. Tinicum Township Police Chief Matthew Phelansaid the stand-alone foundation was formed to provide funding support to the police department. “We will focus on training and education for officers, and equipment, to enhance their ability to respond to the community,” Phelan said. Foundation Board President Jason Wehrung said essential fundingalong with “extra support was essential to continue to be a shining star police force.” As specialized equipment and technology continues to evolve officers need training and tech to do their jobs effectively. This year the foundation plans to raise $15,000 to buy: Dash cams for two patrol vehicles. Active Shooter armor for three officers. A mobile fingerprint scanner for identity verification in the field. Four-day interview and interrogation school training. “In the past we’ve had the community indicate they wanted to help the police department but there wasn’t a mechanism to do that,” Phelan said. Now there is. With police foundations in Philadelphia, New York City and Washington DC as models, the Foundation Board looked closer to home – the Central Bucks Regional Police Department as a guide to setting itself up. The Foundation’s first fund-raising event brought the community together and paid for a defibrillator for a patrol car. A recent direct donation of battery powered chain saws was made by local businessman Stan Campbell to the department; a welcome tool for helping with storm damaged trees and downed trees, tree limbs and debris. “It’s a great tool [for] when we’re out and trees come down,” Phelan said. He noted having the chainsaws will help clear roads and aid in clearing the way for power restoration to residents and business owner properties after storms. Initiated in spring, 2017, the Tinicum Township Police Foundation was formalized in 2018 and had its first public fundraising event in June, 2018. Donations can be made via mail to Tinicum Township Police Foundation, PO Box 118, Erwinna, Pa 18920 or online at www.facebook.com/TTPDFoundation. For interviews and more information contact Jason Wehrung at jwehrung@wehrungs.com or by phone at 215.262.5036.
Tinicum Township Police Foundation was formed in 2018 to support an increasingly complex law enforcement landscape in its rural corner of Upper Bucks County.
A day in the life of a police officer includes body armor and dashboard cameras, suicide prevention training, heart attack defibrillators and mobile [field] fingerprint scanners – all important and with price tags to match.
The grassroots group wants to fund essential 21st century law enforcement tools without raising taxes across the mostly rural 31-mile Upper Bucks County municipality.
“It seemed to be a good benefit on the local level, and we wanted the public to be aware of what we are doing. We want them to know our police force helps and supports the community – they do more than hand out traffic tickets,” said Wayne Hobson, who serves on the Tinicum Foundation’s five-member board.
The Foundation wants community involvement by building awareness of its goals.
Time, talent and treasure donations are sought to create an ongoing, two-way conversation between the community and law enforcement.
Tinicum Township Police Chief Matthew Phelansaid the stand-alone foundation was formed to provide funding support to the police department.
“We will focus on training and education for officers, and equipment, to enhance their ability to respond to the community,” Phelan said.
Foundation Board President Jason Wehrung said essential fundingalong with “extra support was essential to continue to be a shining star police force.”
As specialized equipment and technology continues to evolve officers need training and tech to do their jobs effectively.
This year the foundation plans to raise $15,000 to buy:
Dash cams for two patrol vehicles.
Active Shooter armor for three officers.
A mobile fingerprint scanner for identity verification in the field.
Four-day interview and interrogation school training.
“In the past we’ve had the community indicate they wanted to help the police department but there wasn’t a mechanism to do that,” Phelan said.
Now there is.
With police foundations in Philadelphia, New York City and Washington DC as models, the Foundation Board looked closer to home – the Central Bucks Regional Police Department as a guide to setting itself up.
The Foundation’s first fund-raising event brought the community together and paid for a defibrillator for a patrol car.
A recent direct donation of battery powered chain saws was made by local businessman Stan Campbell to the department; a welcome tool for helping with storm damaged trees and downed trees, tree limbs and debris.
“It’s a great tool [for] when we’re out and trees come down,” Phelan said. He noted having the chainsaws will help clear roads and aid in clearing the way for power restoration to residents and business owner properties after storms.
Initiated in spring, 2017, the Tinicum Township Police Foundation was formalized in 2018 and had its first public fundraising event in June, 2018. Donations can be made via mail to Tinicum Township Police Foundation, PO Box 118, Erwinna, Pa 18920 or online at www.facebook.com/TTPDFoundation. For interviews and more information contact Jason Wehrung at jwehrung@wehrungs.com or by phone at 215.262.5036.