White Haven Police Department looking for night crime watchers
WHITE HAVEN, PA April 7 2020 A local police department in Luzerne County is looking to expand its neighborhood crime watch program during the coronavirus pandemic
Although many businesses across the state have been closed down due to Governor Wolf’s order, the White Haven Borough police department has been actively looking for unemployed residents to become a part of their force.
Chief Thomas Szoke calls it “crime watch on steroids.”
“People are gonna be short on money, and during desperate times, people do desperate things.”
During times of the coronavirus pandemic, on call officers within White Haven may have to respond to other scenes or situations that are considered a higher priority, hence the need for night crime watchers.
“White haven borough is a small town you know we do cover a lot of area but we’re a small commercial district,” says Chief Szoke.
The chief says the position is part time paying $10 an hour.
Candidates must be honest and reputable and will have to pass a background check.
Those who are hired will work the early morning hours as an observer monitoring the businesses along Main Street to help assist on call officers.
“So when we’re out in other areas or answering other calls it still gives us other eyes on our business district in town. Make sure there’s no looting, no vandalism during the stay at home order,” says Chief Szoke.
Although he says he doesn’t see the positions becoming full time in the future following the pandemic – he hopes to promote all night watchers to auxiliary police officers, providing support for full time officers in the borough.
“Something like this we are only doing it for the pandemic at this time although we would like to continue it and if we have special events or parades or any other reason why would just need extra hands.”
For those interested in becoming a night crime watcher, call the White Haven Police Department and leave a message.
White Haven PD: (570) 443-8888
FOX56
