Save The Date! Upper Darby Events

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Mark your calenders for the following events:

Citizen Police Academy. September 18, 2012
A seven week program for residents to learn about the Upper Darby Police Department.
Contact Captain David Madonna at 610-734-7791 or email dmadonna@udpd.org for additional details.

Shred It Day. September 22, 2012
Held at Upper Darby High School, this event is designed for residents to have a secure place to shed bulk papers. Paper only, no plastic binders. 9:00AM to 1:00PM

National Drug Take Back Day September 29, 2012
This event is a great way to safely dispose of unused and unwanted prescription drugs.  Held at Upper Darby High School from 10AM to 2PM.

Fire Prevention Parade & Demonstration October 7, 2012
Follow the parade from Drexel Hill Middle School to Aronimink Elementary School then join in festivities to learn about fire safety!

Community Day. October 13, 2012
Partners from the community are available for a day of fun and information.  Held at Upper Darby High School from 10AM to 2PM.

Annual Rabies Inoculation Clinic. October 23, 2012
Bring your pet for their rabies shot.  Held at the Municipal Building, 100 Garrett Road.  9:00AM to 11:00AM.

Youth Reality Tour (Drug Awareness). October 21, 2012
Children in grades fifth and up along with their parents can learn the consequences of drug use.  This powerful presentation will be held at The Primos Library Branch.

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Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. December 5, 2012
Join Upper Darby Township at The Municipal Building for a celebration of the start of the holiday season.  6:45PM

Connecting Cops & Kids

In an effort to continue an open relationship with the community, The Upper Darby Police Department has introduced a contest for Upper Darby School District children in grades 1 through 4.

“Many times the children of our community are intimidated or afraid to approach a Police Officer and hesitate to ask them a simple question or even ask for assistance in an emergency” writes Superintendent Michael Chitwood. The “Cop Cards” program is designed to eliminate this fear.

“Cop Cards” follows the tradition of baseball card collecting. Spearheaded by Captain Tom Johnson, this program is an open line of communication between officers and children.  By actively working with the officers to obtain a card, children will learn to feel comfortable talking with a police officer under any circumstances and cultivate positive interactions in the community. 

Each card has a picture of an employee, a mini biography, and personal message that each child is encouraged to practice. Children can obtain a checklist from the school’s Principal’s office to keep track of cards they have collected. The checklist can also be downloaded at the Upper Darby Police Website here.

This isn’t the only outreach for the police and the children of the community. In 2008, Sergeant James Reif was asked to address the staff at Stonehurst Elementary on the topic of lock-down drills and other police related issues. One of the 5th grade teachers asked Sgt. Reif to speak with her class because of a number of problems that was occurring. Sgt Reif, after learning that the children regarded the Upper Darby Police negatively, decided he wanted to work with the children and help them become more informed about the role police play in the community. The fifth grade mentoring program was created.  Since then it has now expanded to include seven of the nine elementary schools, with the other two scheduled to be included next year.

The “Cop Cards” trading is between June 15 and September 14.  Children who ask any uniformed officer to count their collected cards can submit their name for contest prizes.  One lucky child will even win a Kindle 3G!

To get started, speak to an Upper Darby Police officer today.

Get a Pal in PAL

In the mid 1940's, a police Sergeant noticed a group of boys playing ball in a busy police parking lot.  He encouraged the children to move inside to a a safer place, an old locker room at the station.  More boys begin to show up to play, and Sgt Gus Rangnow found his niche: helping children.*


The Police Athletic League, or PAL, promotes itself as "Cops and Kids working together for a better tomorrow". 


The Upper Darby chapter of PAL continues this tradition with PAL Basketball sign ups this Saturday, April 14 at Beverly Hills Middle School from 9AM to 3PM.  Additional sign ups will be held on Wednesday, April 18 from 6PM to 9PM and Wednesday, April 25 from 6PM to 9PM.  There is a cost of $50.00 due at registration.


The season runs from April 30 through July 31, Monday through Friday from 6PM to 10PM and is open to youths age 9 to 17.  


To make this season successful, coaches are definitely needed.  A meeting for coaches has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 18 at 7PM during sign-ups.


Applications will be available at the schools, The Municipal Building, and The Upper Darby Welcome Center.


For more information, contact Aaron Arlington at 267-242-4103 or Missy Murray at 610-772-4919.

* Additional information about Philadelphia's history with PAL can be found here.

Community Meeting Reminder

UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP

100 GARRETT ROAD

UPPER DARBY, PA 19082-3135

Mayor

Thomas N. Micozzie                                                                                                                                 

                    

                                                COMMUNITY MEETING

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SAFETY FOR

                                     YOUR CHILDREN   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Presented by Upper Darby Township

and

Officer Tom Nee, UDPD Community Affairs

                          

                                                    

March 24, 2012

11   AM

Prayer Chapel Fellowship Hall

7099 Locust St, Upper Darby, Pa.19082

                                      (Locust St. & Hampden Rd.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

610-734-7793;610-734-7784

                                               

Community Meeting: Child Safety Information

On Saturday, March 24 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Upper Darby Township will present the meeting:

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SAFETY FOR YOUR CHILDREN

The meeting will be held at the Prayer Chapel Church of God Fellowship Hall.  This is an opportunity for residents to hear from Superintendant Michael Chitwood, Mayor Tom Micozzie, Township Council and members of various Township departments about ways to identify danger in your community and speak to your children.

The meeting will have a presentation by Officer Tom Nee and be opened for questions at the end.

For more information you can call The Weed & Seed Site Coordinator Joan Scanlon at 610-734-7793

Citizens Police Academy

Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood

An effort to promote a strong partnership between the Upper Darby Community and the Upper Darby Police Department resulted in the first Citizens Police Academy.

This program offers residents an opportunity to get a realistic look at the work of the Upper Darby Police Department.

Residents will work directly with officers and gain first hand knowledge about the departments that protect us, allowing a better understanding and perspective of law enforcement and the Upper Darby Police.

Applications must possess a valid driver's license, be at least 21 years old, and have no criminal record.

Applications can be obtained from the Office of the Superintendent.  They must be returned by Thursday, March 29, 2012.  Classes begin on Tuesday, April 3, 2012.  Each session lasts approximately two and half hours.  

For more information, call 610-734-7686.

Protect, Honor, and Serve

An information session was held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 for those interested in becoming part of the Upper Darby Police Department.

Superintendant  Chitwood addressing the audience,
 Councilman Nate Goodson

Superintendent Michael Chitwood led a power point presentation to explain what is needed to become a part of the department. Mayor Thomas Micozzie and Public Safety Chair, 7th District Councilman Nathaniel Goodson, were among those present as approximately 152 people filled the auditorium of Drexel Hill Middle School to learn the criteria for becoming part of the police force.

One goal the department has is to recruit more minorities to address the changing population of Upper Darby.  

Captain David Madonna explained the benefits of being an officer.  The base pay starts at $54,617.  Those officers who need to attend the police academy would receive an hourly rate of $22.58 until they successfully completed the training program.

Captain Anthony Paparo explained the various areas a person could use as a career path with the department.  This includes SWAT, K9, Investigations, and Motorcycle Patrol among others.  

Superintendant Chitwood explained the process to become one of Upper Darby's finest.  The way it works is that you must past each section before moving on to the next step of the application process.

• Physical Agility Test
• Written Exam 
• Oral Interview
• Polygraph Exam (which he stressed that no one should try to cheat this exam)
• Medical Exam
• Extensive Background check (meaning every nook and crany of your life will be investigated)
• Successful completion of the Police Academy if needed

However, it was stressed that applicants take all parts of the process seriously.  The first part is a physical agility test that will be held on Saturday, February 25 at 9AM.  The location is the main campus of Delaware County Community College.  There is a rain date of Saturday, March 3, 2012 same time and location.  The only thing that would force a rain date would be a weather anomaly like two feet of snow or a monsoon.  

Officer Amanda Klingensmith offered words of encouragement, again stressing the importance of taking the test seriously.  She spoke of the opportunities that she has gained by being a part of the force.  She expressed that she never felt any rejection, discrimination, or alienation as a woman on the force.

Hald and Rex

Officer Tom Hald brought his K9 partner Rex, and explained a bit about the K9 program.  Once again, the opportunities for growth in the department were expressed along with the close knit relationship he has with his canine partner as well as his two legged colleagues.

A representative from McCann Testing explained that there are tools available to assist with studying for the test.  Of course, your local library may have some resources, but McCann actually has practice exams and also study aids.

Interested parties can see Richard Nolan in room 107 at the Township Municipal Building located at 100 Garrett Road, for an application.  Applications are due NOON on February 17, 2012 along with a $65.00 fee.

The written exam will be held on Saturday March 10th at 9AM.  It was suggested that those taking the test plan to arrive at least an HOUR early so that they can go through the screening process and take a moment to compose themselves before the test.

For additional information, you can visit www.udpd.org or Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission Web Site.

Good luck and best wishes to those who decide that they are ready to protect and serve the residents of Upper Darby Township.