Police Department General Information

The Doylestown Borough Police Department is located in the lower level of Borough Hall, 57 W. Court Street, Doylestown, Pa., 215-345-4143. The Administrative offices operate Monday through Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. After hours individual officers can be reached through their voice mail by dialing 215-345-4143.

• To Report a Crime or in Case of an Emergency: dial 9-1-1
• For Routine Assistance Requiring an Officer (lockouts, accidents, animal complaints, etc.): dial 215-348-4680
• To request information from the Doylestown Borough Police Department: dial 215-345-4143
• Other Emergency Phone Numbers

The Doylestown Borough Police Department is a full service department. Police Officers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We provide many aspects of service to the Doylestown Borough community and its many visitors.

Community Policing

Bicycle Patrol - The department has three officers who are equipped and trained to perform as a bicycle patrol. You will see them on patrol in your neighborhood. They are all radio-equipped and prepared to accomplish any service that a patrol car can perform.

Bicycle Registration - This department is prepared to register your bike. Make, Model and Serial Number. In the event of a theft the registration can assist in the recovery of your bike.

Bicycle Recovery - This department does on occasion recover a number of lost or stolen bikes. If you have had your bicycle stolen, stop by the station during business hours and look over our collection. If you can identify your bike it will be returned to you. All unclaimed bicycles are turned over to charitable organizations, such as Churches, Boy Scouts, etc.

Drugs and Alcohol

DARE - The department offers DARE instruction in each of the three elementary Schools in the Borough. The classes involve the sixth grade in each of the schools. DARE stands for DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION. It is a drug prevention program designed to educate and develop resistance skills in the children. The program provides a foundation that helps the child, the parents, the school district and the police to address drugs and violence.

Crime Prevention

Foot Patrol - In addition to our normal vehicle patrol, the department conducts a foot patrol in the center of town. This helps to promote a feeling of well being for our residents and visitors. The officers can be seen on the beat during the hours of 11AM and 7PM, seven days a week. However, they are still responsible for calls for service on the radio and may be absent from the beat. They will however return to the beat as soon as possible.

Canine Patrol - The department currently has one canine available for patrol duty. There are plans in the near future to add an additional dog. They perform a valuable service to the community. Not only do the conduct searches and tracks but they are also a valuable community relations opportunity for the department. They conduct demonstration at schools and for Cub Scout packs as well as take part in special events.

Security Checks - Patrol officers conduct after hour security checks on businesses throughout the town. The officers physically check all doors and windows and leave a card that states that the Doylestown Borough Police Department checked your property.

Your Home - The department will check your home while you are on vacation. Residents who will be away for more than two days can contact this department. Officers will check your home on each tour of duty. We need to know how to get in touch with you or someone with a key? What lights will be left on or on a timer? When will you be leaving/returning?

Operation Identification - The department will help you protect your property and help reclaim it if it is stolen. The program is simple. You maintain a record of all serial numbers on your appliances, tools, radios, television sets, firearms and other valuables. If they don't have serial numbers, then inscribe them with your Pa. Driver's License number, preceded by the letters PA. Mark each item in a hidden location and an obvious one. Report stolen or lost items, as soon as they are discovered missing.

Emergency Contacts - Businesses are encouraged to provide the police department with a list of emergency contact personnel from your business. In the event of an after hours emergency this person will be contacted. This list is strictly confidential in nature and will only be used as part of official police business.

Reporting a Crime. - Should you have the need, as a victim or a witness to a crime, call 9-1-1. You will asked to give your name, address and phone number. Give a brief description of what has occurred:

• Who did it?
• What happened?
• When did it happen?
• Where did it happen?
• How long ago did it happen?

Be sure to give complete physical description, name if known, facial features, type and description of the clothing being worn, age and the direction last seen. If there was a vehicle involved they will need the following information: color, model, year, license plate number and state.

Traffic Safety

The traffic safety program operated by the Borough Police department is a comprehensive plan that encompasses Education, Engineering and Enforcement.

Education - Every time there is a new stop sign or one way street added, this Department will issue violation warnings for a 30 day period. In addition, the department participates in all safety training days for bicycle riders and baby safety seat installation programs.

Engineering - This department does run speed and volume studies on a regular basis to determine the changes in volume and speed on each of the Borough's streets. We are developing a data bank of information on an ongoing basis. This assists us in determining locations that would benefit the most from enforcement efforts. In addition the department conducts traffic studies for the installation of new traffic controlling devices, such as stop signs, etc.

Enforcement - This department conducts traffic enforcement every day on every shift. Based on the data that is collected and analyzed, officers are assigned to different locations throughout the Borough at different times of the day.

Borough Ordinances You Should Be Aware Of

Abandoned Vehicles Ordinance
According to Pennsylvania law, (2 Pa. C.S.A. 102) a vehicle is considered abandoned if it meets any of the following:

• 1) It is physically inoperable and is left unattended on a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours;
• 2) It remains illegally-parked on a highway or other public property for a period of more than 48 hours; or
• 3) It is left unattended on or along a highway or other public property for more than 48 hours without a valid registration plate, a current certificate of inspection, an ascertainable vehicle identification number, and remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than 48 hours.

If you have an abandoned vehicle on your property or know of such a vehicle on a highway or other public property, please report it to the Borough police by calling 215-345-4143.

Skateboarding Ordinance
No person shall use, operate or ride upon nor permit the use, operation or riding upon any skateboard on any public street, public alley, public sidewalk, public park, public parking lot or other public place within the Borough of Doylestown.

Any police officer who shall observe any minor person under the age of eighteen (18) years using, operating or riding upon a skateboard in violation of the Ordinance shall have the authority to immediately seize and take possession of such skateboard and hold same until the parent or guardian of such minor person or other responsible adult make application to the Chief of Police for the return thereof. These provisions shall be in addition to and not in restriction of any penalties otherwise provided for the violation of this Ordinance.

Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Ordinance shall upon conviction, thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than three hundred dollars ($300.00).

Noise Ordinance - Animals
It will be illegal within the Borough of Doylestown for any person or persons to own, possess, harbor or control any animal or bird that makes any noise continuously and/or incessantly for a period of ten minutes or makes such noise intermittently for one-half hour or more to the disturbance of any person any time of the day or night regardless of whether the animal or bird is physically situated in or upon the private property, said noise being a nuisance; provided, that at the time the animal or bird is making such noise no person is trespassing or threatening to trespass upon private property in or upon which the animal or bird is situated nor is there any other legitimate cause which justifiably provoked the animal or bird.

Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this ordinance shall upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than three hundred dollars ($300.00), or to imprisonment for a term not to exceed ninety (90) days.

Emergency Alarms Ordinance
Within 30 days every user of an Automatic Alarm Device (AAD) (residential and business) shall register with the Doylestown Borough Police Department on a form provided by the police, any existing or new installation of and AAD. The information to be provided shall include the following:

• 1) The names, address and telephone number of the user.
• 2) The address where the AAD is installed and the telephone number of that address, if different
• 3) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least two persons who are authorized to gain entry into the protected premises, and who are available to respond within 30 minutes of notification.
• 4) The name, address and telephone number of the alarm equipment supplier and person responsible for maintenance and repair of the AAD.

All information furnished shall be kept confidential and shall be for the exclusive use of the Police Department.

Each user shall register the operation of an AAD with the Police Department. A fee if $5 shall be paid for each such registration or such other fee as Borough Council shall impose from time to time by Resolution.

Parking

The Parking Department Office is in operation from 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday. They can be reached by dialing 215-345-4143.

Parking Enforcement is from 9:00am-5:00pm Monday through Wednesday and Saturday, and from 6:00am-5:00pm Thursday and Friday.

There are three Parking Enforcement Officers who are responsible in making sure all the parking regulations and parking ordinances are strictly enforced in the Borough of Doylestown. It is important that all residents, merchants and visitors in the Borough be aware of all posted signs and adhere to them.

Common violations are:
Expired Meters Parking beyond the allowed times in designated areas Parking left to curb Parking on Thursdays and Fridays between 6:00am- Parking more than 12" from the curb 9:00am in designated areas

The Borough offers various parking solutions to its residents and visitors. They are:
Residential Parking Permits - Any resident who resides within a designated residential permit parking district and has a registered motor vehicle at that address may apply for a permit to park such vehicle in that designated area. These permits are good for one year and must be reapplied for at the beginning of each year. There is no cost at this time for these permits.

Special Parking Permits - Any person may apply for a permit to park their vehicle in a designated special parking permit zone. Yellow bands around the base of 10-hour parking meters designate these zones. Permits are given out for a six-month period of time (January-June and July-December). The cost of a sixth month permit is $50.

Parking Lots/Garages - The following locations offer off-street parking lots:

• Intersection of East State and Pine Streets
• Pine Street, East Court and East State Streets
• Plaza East (East Oakland Avenue and Donaldson Street)
• Plaza West (West State and Hamilton Streets)
• Intersection of West Court and Clinton Streets
• Southside of West Court between Main and Hamilton Streets
• Bucks County Garage (North Main Street across from the Court House)

Additional Services Provided by the Police

Fingerprinting - Employment Purposes
The Doylestown Borough Police will fingerprint people who either live or work in Doylestown Borough for employment purposes. The person needs to supply the necessary fingerprint cards from their employer. Proof of residence or employer is required.

Police Personnel and Responsibilities

Below are the names of the police personnel, their voice mailbox number and their responsibilities:
Chief James Donnelly (x 125)
Lieutenant Michael Cummings (x119) (Oversees Detectives, DARE)
Sergeant Scott Brobst (x 124) (Squad Leader, Training)
Sergeant John Gerhart (x 121) (Squad Leader, Oversees Traffic Safety, Scheduling)
Sergeant Patrick Penecale (x 120) (Squad Leader, Oversees Vehicles, Uniforms)
Corporal C. William Doucette (x 219) (Bicycle Patrol, Vehicles, Child-Safety Seat Inspector)
Corporal Kevin Lenahan (x 224) (Canine, DARE)
Corporal Vsevolod Pospisil, Jr. (x 223) Bicycle Patrol, Grant Writing, Training)
Detective David Murphy (x 122) (Investigations)
Officer Lance Carlen (x 230) (DARE, Accident Reconstruction, Traffic Safety)
Officer Edward Hilton (x 220)
Officer David Jenkins (x 225) (Traffic Safety)
Officer Wayne Jones (x 226) (Accident Reconstruction, Abandoned Vehicles)
Officer Paul Kreuter (x 229)
Officer Matthew Maloney (x 221) (Canine)

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