CHESTER — Delaware County Council, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, and Chester Mayor Stefan Roots announced the kickoff of the Summer 2024 Safe Streets Program. The program was created to temporarily address a critical shortage of patrol officers in the Chester Police Department by utilizing select county employees for nonpatrol duties, thereby freeing up Chester officers to perform patrol duties, adding more officers to the streets. The program is expected to continue until the end of the summer, addressing the need to prevent and respond to the increase in crime that typically occurs in summer months.
Members of the county team with the required training and credentials can apply to serve in the paid positions. All expenses incurred by the county in the program will be paid out of available grant funds from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. During the spring, Stollsteimer convened a meeting of stakeholders, including the leadership of the county’s Park Police and Department of Emergency Services, and Chester Police Commissioner Steve Gretsky to assess the department’s staffing shortage.
Like many police departments in the county and the country, it has struggled to recruit an adequate number of officers. As a result, the department’s roster has only 65% of the number of officers that it needs. Gretsky identified two positions — the turnkey and the operations positions — which are essential to the department’s operations, but that do not involve any patrol responsibilities.
Both positions are performed entirely within the offices of the CPD. Traditionally, the duties of both positions have been performed by Chester officers qualified to work on patrol. During the meeting, leaders discussed creative and effective solutions to staff the vacancies.
One idea was to utilize county Park Police and Emergency Services staff to temporarily fill those positions, allowing Chester two more officers available for patrol duty. The stakeholders agreed that qualified volunteers from the Park Police and DES who were interested in earning overtime compensation could be solicited, and the county could utilize grant funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to pay the overtime expenses. The initiative, Operation Safe Streets, was presented to County Council at a public meeting on Tuesday, July 16, and was unanimously approved by Council at their meeting the following day.
“The County is hopeful that this partnership is successful with assisting the City of Chester during an anticipated rise in crime during the summer months” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “We deeply appreciate the collaboration and commitment that has already been demonstrated by everyone involved in devising this creative approach.
We commend District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, Park Police Chief John Diehl, and Acting Director of Delaware County’s Department of Emergency Services Ed Beebe for their dedication and efforts to keep our community safe.” “Our success in reducing gun violence in the City of Chester — and throughout the county — relies on many things, not just law enforcement,” said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. “However, without an adequate number of officers, the task is immeasurably more difficult.
I am incredibly grateful for the cooperation of my colleagues throughout the County who have come together to help us support the City’s police department during the difficult summer months.” “As always, I am grateful to county council, led by Dr. Monica Taylor, the district attorney, the park police and the County’s DES, for stepping up to help the City of Chester in these challenging times,” Roots said.
‘A Year With Frog & Toad’ hops onto stage at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center Upper Darby Summer Stage will present “A Year with Frog & Toad, TYA Edition,” based on the beloved Arnold Lobel book series at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center at 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill.
Parking is free. Shows are 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday through Friday, July 30, 31, and Aug. 1 and 2, and 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 1. Seasons come and go but the friendship of Frog and Toad endures.
Join the fun as Frog and Toad return to Summer Stage next week and learn life lessons together, despite being total opposites. This timeless tale reminds the audience that exploring the unknown in friendships can build more meaningful relationships. Tickets are $11-$15 and can be purchased online at http://udsummerstage.
org or by calling the box office at 610-814-7270. Young audience members and their families are invited to come early to the performances for fun pre-show activities and to stay after the show to meet cast members. “A Year With Frog & Toad, TYA Edition” is ideal for ages 3 and older.
Show director Lizzy Lunardi said, “ ‘A Year With Frog & Toad’ tells the story of two friends and their adventures throughout a full calendar year. As the seasons change, they support each other through all seasons of life. In an ever-changing world, Frog and Toad continue to lift each other up and find beauty and joy in the simple things, and their companionship paints a timeless picture of what true friendship looks like.
” Upper Darby Summer Stage is the nation’s leader in children’s theater. In 2024, Summer Stage is engaging over 800 students in its productions. Featuring programs for young people and adults ages 10 through 35, Summer Stage is an ideal place for young audience members to experience the magic of theater for the first time.
To learn more about the dates and times of each show, audience members may visit http://udsummerstage.org . Penncrest Class of ’84 to hold reunion Penncrest High School Class of 1984 will hold its 40-year reunion from 5 to 9 p.
m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at Sligo Irish Pub, 113 W.
State St., Media. The evening includes cash bar, music from the 1970s and ’80s, various appetizers, and plenty of reminiscing.
Cost is $25. To attend, RSVP by Sept. 20, email penncrest84@gmail.
com or Venmo@Lisa-Cadorette. Ukrainian Folk Festival comes to Philadelphia Area The Ukrainian Folk Festival 2024 will be held on Sunday, Aug. 25 from noon to 8 p.
m. at the Ukrainian American Sport Center, County Line and Lower State roads, Horsham, Montgomery County. Ukrainian folk art, music, dance and more will be featured.
From the colorful and deeply symbolic “pysanka” (Ukrainian Easter egg) to the strength of “Hopak,” the Ukrainian ethnic dance, and every brilliant “kolomiyka” (polka) and soulful folk song in between, attendees are invited to experience the 2024 Ukrainian Folk Festival, celebrating the 33rd anniversary of our ancestral homeland’s independence. Attendees can enjoy an outdoor summer stage concert and show, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
, live orchestra music 5 to 8 p.m., traditional Ukrainian foods and baked goods, BBQ pit, standard picnic fare, vendors’ grove, Ukrainian arts and crafts displays and bazaar, and refreshments, live reenactments from Living Ukrainian History Exhibitors and Ukrainian hospitality.
Admission at the gate is $15, with a portion of each paid admission donated to a Relief Of Ukrainian War Victims Fund. Parking is free. For more information, call 267-664-3857 or email info@tryzub.
org or go to www.tryzub.org.
Ukrainian American Sport Center is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. Festival proceeds benefit humanitarian, sports, community, cultural and artistic programming. PCS Theater presents ‘Just a Number’ cabaret PCS Theater in Swarthmore, 614 Fairview Road, will present a cabaret performance, “Just a Number,” 7:30 p.
m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, on the Main Stage in the air-conditioned auditorium of PCS Theater.
The one-night special event will showcase an evening of enchanting music and captivating performances, promising an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. “Just a Number” features PCS Theater stage veterans Donna Dougherty, president of the theater board of governors, and Robert Welch, who will remind the audience that age doesn’t define who you are, what you have achieved, or what you can still accomplish. Special guest Theodora Psitos will join the show for an evening of music and storytelling, creating a relaxed performance environment where all are welcome.
Directed by and starring Robert Welch and Donna Dougherty, with music direction by Jeff Smith, this cabaret promises to be a night filled with laughter, heartwarming moments, and musical talent. Others who are part of the evening’s cabaret include George Livanos, Lisa Gilmer, Jane Roberts, Adina Olson, Tyler Meil, Katie Eng, Scott Porecca and Steve Smith. Tickets are $15 each with reserved seating, and PCS members receive a 20% discount.
Season 112 Subscription Vouchers are accepted. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to http://pcstheater.org or call 610-328-4271.
PCS Theater is a cornerstone of the Delaware County arts community, dedicated to producing high-quality theatrical productions that entertain, inspire, and enrich audiences. Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at [email protected].
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