FROM THE DESK OF POLICE CHIEF JAMES WALSH

Upcoming Awareness Campaigns:

January

• National Stalking Awareness Month

• National Slavery & Human Trafficking Month

• National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (last week of January)

• National Mentoring Month

February

• Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

March

• National Poison Prevention Week (March 15-21)

• Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Police Department News

Retirement:

Captain Paul Sims retired effective 12/31/2022, after serving the Borough of Somerdale and residents for over 32 years. Captain Sims and his experience will be missed, we wish him and his family well!

Addition of Class 3/School Resource Officer:

The Department hired James Gillespie as a Special Officer Class 3; he will work as a School Resource Officer at Somerdale Park School. Jim will be in full uniform and his duties will be dedicated to the safety of the students, staff and visitors of Park School. Jim retired from Maple Shade Police Department and has 25 years of prior law enforcement experience. We wish Jim success in his new assignment and thank the Borough of Somerdale Mayor & Council as well as the Somerdale Board of Education for making this happen! Please stop and say hello to Officer Gillespie when visiting Park School.

Update on Lieutenant Plasket:

Lieutenant Plasket is home and continuing further out-patient treatment. He has been making progress and wanted me to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

D.A.R.E. Graduation:

The D.A.R.E. Graduation is set for January 19, 2023 at 8:30 am at Somerdale Park School. Please be sure to congratulate our 5th grade students and Corporal Alex Keister for their hard work!

Soliciting Update:

There are STILL no active solicitor permits at the time of this article. If you have anyone come to your door or see anyone walking around with clipboards and sales materials, contact the Department and we will check them out. Sometimes they are legitimate vendors (who don’t have a permit) and other times they may be scammers casing out your house or neighborhood. We would rather respond and it ended up being a minor issue then having you or your neighbors being the victim of a crime.

“StreetSmart” Campaign:

Our “StreetSmart” Campaign has concluded, I am happy to report that the Borough of Somerdale has zero (0) fatal crashes in 2022. Unfortunately, we had two (2) fatal crashes in 2021.

While the program has concluded, officers will still monitor the identified intersections and the Department is prepared to step up enforcement should the need arise.

I.M.P.A.C.T. Program:

Immediate Mobilization of Police Assisted Crisis Teams

The Somerdale Police Department and Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV) staff the team to provide immediate, direct services to individuals encountered at every point of contact within police operations, including but not limited to; community care-taking, calls-for-service such as domestic violence, families in crisis, emotionally disturbed persons, overdose and narcotic related incidents, as well as at the point of arrest, incarceration and municipal court.

I.M.P.A.C.T. will engage individuals at all points of contact with direct communication between Officers and VOADV Staff through established channels. Engagement may occur at the scene, Police Headquarters, municipal court, county jail or other area deemed appropriate by I.M.P.A.C.T. staff. Officers and VOADV are often in the best position to understand the needs of an individual or family in crisis.

The Department realizes that we cannot arrest our way out of problems, and we need to find innovative ways to help individuals as well as reduce the impact on the community and the police departments resources. We are confident that the I.M.P.A.C.T. program will assist all involved. Please spread the word to community groups and faith-based organizations that the I.M.P.A.C.T. Program is available and we can put them in touch for services they may need for a family member, friend, parishioner or a stranger in need.

Traffic Advisory

On or about 01/30/2023, Camden County will begin work on the Somerdale Road bridge in Gloucester Township, the construction will last for a period of 10-18 months. It appears it will be a partial closure and will cause significant traffic congestion/delays. We will update our Facebook and Twitter feeds as more information develops. Please plan alternate routes.