PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES
Through various programs and initiatives, our community policing approach fosters collaboration between the police and the community, ensuring that together we can tackle local issues, enhance safety, and build stronger relationships. Community policing is a collaborative approach that brings together the police and the community to identify and address local issues. By working together, we can improve the safety and livability of your neighborhood, tackling problems like crime, disorder, and fear. Building trust between the police and the community is crucial in maintaining effective policing, and we hold meetings with residents, business leaders, and organizations to foster positive relationships and reduce crime. Crime prevention is a top priority, and together, we can create a safer city to call home.
For more information, please reach out to Sergeant Rodger Ollis at [email protected].
The City of Coatesville Department takes child passenger safety seriously. Several of our officers are certified child passenger safety seat technicians and are available to answer caregivers’ questions, check for proper installation and ensure that the seat is appropriate for the child’s height and weight. In addition, we have partnered with Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention (P.A.T.I.P.P.) and are able to provide child passenger safety seats at no cost to families with limited resources. Car seat checks and installations are done by appointment and require appropriately 45-60 minutes. During their time with a certified seat tech, caregivers will learn about the child passenger safety laws, the functionality of the safety seat and how to complete proper installation.
National Night Out (NNO) is an annual event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, aimed at promoting community involvement in crime prevention. Coatesville Police Department actively participates in NNO, rallying residents and officers to join forces and make a positive impact. This campaign, spanning across the United States and beyond, aims to raise awareness about crime and drug prevention, encourage support for local anti-crime initiatives, strengthen neighborhood unity, and send a clear message to criminals that our communities are united against crime. Join us in this celebration of safety and community by participating in various events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, and safety demonstrations. Together, we can enhance community relations and make a difference in our city.
Annually, the City of Coatesville Police Department partners with many individuals and organizations to help spread holiday cheer through the ‘Shop with a Cop’ program. Every year, dozens of deserving youth from the Coatesville Area School District and local youth serving organizations are nominated to participate in a memorable shopping experience. After a festive breakfast with Santa, the participants are placed on a bus and transported to Walmart, parade-style, surrounded by numerous emergency vehicles. Upon arrival, they are teamed up with officers that volunteer their time to serve as ‘finance managers’ and ‘shopping consultants.’ Youth are given an opportunity to shop for themselves and/or loved ones, while having one on one time with an officer. We have found that this program can help create constructive relationships that can last a lifetime. After shopping is complete, a team of volunteer ‘Elves’ ensures that every item is pristinely wrapped before leaving the store. This program is just one of many initiatives at CPD that helps bring the members of the police department and the community together, to build relationships and foster mutual respect and understanding.
Graffiti is considered criminal damage, involving illicit markings or paintings on surfaces. It can negatively impact communities through property attacks and urban decay. While the “Broken Windows” theory aims to prevent more serious crimes by addressing vandalism, zero tolerance policies have proven ineffective. To maintain order, the Police Department and community volunteers work together. Please report any graffiti or related issues for a more orderly environment. Remember, graffiti is against the law in Coatesville and punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. For more information, contact Sergeant Rodger Ollis at [email protected].
The Coatesville Police Law Enforcement Chaplain program promotes the well-being of both citizens and law enforcement. Chaplains support the community during crises, offer counseling, and act as a liaison in major incidents. They facilitate effective communication between the Police Department and the community.
Law enforcement chaplains provide religious guidance, counseling, and support to law enforcement personnel and their families, as well as victims and even families of offenders. They are trained to address the unique needs and challenges of the law enforcement community, offering a trustworthy and reassuring presence.
Coatesville Police Department, in partnership with Coatesville Youth Initiative, has installed a Med Return Drug Collection Unit in the police department’s lobby. This 24/7 drop-box provides a safe and anonymous way for residents to dispose of unwanted or expired medications, free of charge and with no questions asked. The Medication Collection Program aims to remove medications from homes and ensure proper disposal. Sharps and needles cannot be accepted.
