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Pocono News Section
Mutual Aid for Lycoming County Cops
Mutual Aid for Lycoming County Cops - Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 6:47PM EST
Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009 @ 06:47pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-
Police in one central Pennsylvania county have reached an agreement that will benefit its citizens. And it won't cost taxpayers a penny.
Police cars from several Lycoming County municipalities dotted the parking lot outside Williamsport's City Hall Tuesday.
Inside, officers put their signatures on a mutual aid agreement intended to benefit the entire county.
Samantha McNutt, of Montoursville, said, "I think it's a good idea. I think it would help keep crime down so that they can help in all different areas and keep people safe."
In short, the mutual aid agreement will erase jurisdictional lines, allowing any officer to respond to any part of the county.
Jersey Shore Police Chief Martin Jeirles explained, "All we have to do is make the call. And they come. Thirty years of being in law enforcement, I’ve never had an officer not (show up)."
Officers here say they've always responded to calls for assistance. The new agreement essentially just OK's the practice on a legal basis.
Muncy Police Chief Richard Sutton noted, "Everybody watches out for each other. It's the brotherhood of cops, no question about it. We protect each other, and as part of that, we're protecting our communities."
Most people we spoke say providing this type of mutual aid should be the duty of all officers.
Hall Van Horn, of Duboistown, added, "I think they should have the power to do so. The law is the law. I don't care whether it's a cop from New York City, or a cop from Harrisburg, or if it's a cop from Williamsport."
Officials believe the agreement will be especially beneficial to smaller municipalities. Some of them have only one officer on duty at any given time. | | |
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