Section 8 – Public Safety, Law Enforcement, and Security

CAPRA Self-Assessment

8.1 – Codes, Laws, and Ordinances

Standard:
Public safety and law enforcement within parks and recreation areas and facilities shall be governed by codes, laws, and ordinances, some of which may be enacted specifically for the control and management of parks and recreation areas and facilities. The codes, laws and ordinances shall be posted or readily available to park patrons.

Narrative:
The Lower Makefield Township Police Department (LMTPD) has been accredited by the PA Police Chiefs Association since 2014 and is 1 of 134 agencies who maintain accreditation. There are over 1,000 police agencies in the State of Pennsylvania. The LMTPD requires annual interaction and reporting in order to maintain their accreditation.

The LMTPD has authority as a municipal police department and its members are authorized to perform law enforcement functions pursuant to the Pennsylvania General Assembly Title 42 State Statute 8953. More specifically, the Lower Makefield Township Police Department has the powers of warrantless arrest as authorized in Chapter 194 of the Lower Makefield Township Code Book.

Further, there are powers of the police that reference parks, recreation or public areas in Chapter 169, 190.8, and 141 of the Township Code book.

Supporting Documents:

Chapter 169, 190.8, and 141 of the Township Code book

Evidence of Compliance:

The Lower Makefield Township Parks and Recreation locations are public places and follow Township code as such.

Examples of Code related signage:

8.1.1 – Staff Liaison to Law Enforcement Officers

Standard:
There shall be established liaison assignments for agency staff to the official law enforcement officers providing public safety and law enforcement service to the agency.

Narrative:
As referenced in our Risk Management and Emergency Action Plan the Director of Parks and Recreation, presently Monica Tierney, is the liaison to law enforcement officers. The Police Chief, presently Kenneth D. Coluzzi, and his staff work closely on many different projects including the creation of the Department Risk Management and Emergency Action Plan. Lynn Todd, Operations Manager serves as departmental Emergency Risk Manager

Supporting Documents:

8.2 – Authority to Enforce Laws by Law Enforcement Officers

Standard:
The authority of law enforcement officers to enforce laws and ordinances pertaining specifically to activity within parks, recreation areas, and facilities shall be clearly established to ensure that enforcement actions are upheld. Authority to enforce laws and ordinances within parks and recreation areas and facilities must be established through assignment within the agency, by contract with another agency, or by policy of the government jurisdiction in which the agency operates.

Narrative:
Law enforcement officers, employed by the Lower Makefield Township Police Department, are trained and certified under applicable Pennsylvania statute(s). As such, Lower Makefield Township Police Officers are empowered to enforce both state law and Township code within the jurisdiction of Lower Makefield Township.

Pennsylvania General Assembly Title 42 Identifies Statewide municipal police jurisdiction and PA Second Class Code, Article XIX Township Police.

Supporting Documents:

• Pennsylvania General Assembly Title 42
• PA Second Class Code
• Article XIX Township Police

8.3 – Law Enforcement Officer Training

Standard:
Law enforcement officers with the authority to enforce laws within areas and facilities under the jurisdiction of the agency must have proper training in order to carry out their roles and responsibilities.

Narrative:
Law enforcement officers, employed by the Lower Makefield Township Police Department, are required to receive initial training as mandated by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) prior to engaging in law enforcement duties. This initial training, commonly referred to as Police Academy training, is required prior to officers obtaining their state certification credentials. Furthermore, all officers are required to participate in and successfully complete annual update training as required by the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission.

Supporting Documents:

• Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission

Evidence of Compliance:

8.4 – Public Information on Laws, Ordinances, Rules, Regulations, and Policies

Standard:
Agency staff shall participate in educating and informing the public on laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies that apply to parks and recreation areas and facilities. This role shall be established through policy directive.

Narrative:
Lower Makefield Township is subject to the Pennsylvania State Right to Know Law. While, all rules and regulations available in the ecode book, which is searchable, the Township also have policies posted on our website https://www.lmt.org. If a resident has further requests, they have the ability to ask Township staff to see written copies of rules or regulations. They also can formally request any documentation by making an open record request. The Township Manager was formally appointed as the Right to Know officer during the Board of Supervisor meeting July 18, 2018 (Page 7 of 41) by unanimous vote and follows strict protocol and training to serve as a Right To Know officer.

Supporting Documents:

• The Risk Management – Emergency Action Plan
• Right to Know Law
• E-Code Link
• Open Records Request
• Board Of Supervisor Meeting July 18, 2018

Evidence of Compliance:

Pool:

Pool Rules Signage:

Dog Park:

Park Rules and Regulations:

8.4.1 – In-Service Training for Staff on Public Safety and Law Enforcement

Standard:
Agency staff shall understand their role in public safety and law enforcement and relationships with law enforcement officers having jurisdiction within parks and recreation areas and facilities. The purpose of this training to ensure that staff understand where their authority ends and when an incident should be referred to law enforcement. In-service training shall be extended to front line staff such as lifeguards and park attendants to assure they are fully prepared to respond to law-enforcement incidents.

Narrative:
The Lower Makefield Township Emergency Action Plan outlines all required responses to emergency situations and scenarios for all staff. There is a defined, clear delineation as to where their responsibilities end and where the Police, Fire or EMS step into the situation. All staff should respond as trained based on their job and training. If they are ever in doubt, they should contact 911 for assistance.

Supporting Documents:

Evidence of Compliance:

8.4.2 – Handling of Disruptive Behavior Procedures

Standard:
There shall be established procedures for agency staff on response to disruptive behavior at agency areas and facilities. Procedures shall identify the role of staff in intervention when an incident occurs, documentation of behavior and delineation of law enforcement roles in handling behavioral issues.

Narrative:
Handling Disruptive Behavior procedures can be found in the Lower Makefield Township Emergency Action Plan. Management follows this up with training from the Township’s insurance company annually for staff and summer hires. The Township Partners with PRPS DIII to attend training along with Delaware Valley Trust. In the Evidence of Compliance you will see escalation draining offered to administrative staff, then again to summer hires. In addition we offer dealing with difficult people training. Both Trainings are very similar and cover when to reach out to the Police and how to verbally de-escalate situations through listening, asking questions and offering options.

Evidence of Compliance:

8.4.3 – Traffic Control, Parking Plans, and Crowd Control

Standard:
The agency shall coordinate with the official law enforcement agency having jurisdiction on large-scale events hosted or facilitated by the agency that require planning and coordination of traffic, parking and crowd control. Plans shall specifically define the roles of the event sponsor, agency staff, and the law enforcement agency regarding traffic layouts at the venue, traffic routes and personnel assignments.

Narrative:
The Parks and Recreation Department works closely with the Police Department on all larger Special events, including events that are not run by the Township. Staff coordinate closely with the Police Chief, the Traffic Control officer, the Deputy Chief and Captain to prepare and plan for all parking accommodations and traffic flow patterns. In addition, the Parks and Recreation and Public Works staff are all trained in flagging safety, to assist with directing traffic in parking areas and to support police, who are monitoring traffic in the streets.

Evidence of Compliance:

• Planning Correspondence With Police Department
• Community Link

Police Officers and Canine at Community Day

Police Officers Directing Traffic at the Veterans Day Parade

8.4.4 – Handling of Evidentiary Items Procedures

Standard:
Procedures shall be established that guide agency staff in the preservation and handling of evidence until transferred to the appropriate law enforcement authority. Procedures shall be established in coordination with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to define staff roles in ensuring that evidentiary items are preserved until the proper law enforcement agency assumes command of the scene.

Narrative:
The safety of the Lower Makefield Township staff is a priority. It is understood that there are many opportunities that the staff may encounter evidence of criminal behavior. In this instance the staff should follow protocol based on their training and the circumstances. Per the emergency action plan, the Parks and Recreation staff should call 911 and follow instructions from the operator. In the event of a minor incident, a police report should be filed and should include any pictures that were taken.

Supporting Documents:

8.5 – General Security Plan

Standard:
The agency shall have a comprehensive general security plan addressing areas, buildings and facilities under its jurisdiction that is updated periodically. Plans for each major area, building or facility should be available at each site. The general security plan may be a compilation of security plans from each major area, building or facility. Hazardous or flammable materials storage areas should be clearly identified in plans and at each specific site. Signage at each site should be installed in accordance with the unified signage system. To be effective, the security plan should be updated when a new area, building or facility is added, security systems are modified or when legislation requires change.

Supporting Documents:

Evidence of Compliance:

2023 Annual Review:

8.6 – Emergency Management Planning

Standard:
The agency shall be aware of emergency operations planning within their jurisdiction and its role in emergency management systems. Roles may vary depending on the scope of services provided by the agency and the location of its facilities. Recreation agencies, having roles in emergency management systems within their local jurisdiction, shall be aware of the applicable operations plan. The agency’s specialized staff, buildings and equipment may be integral to the plan and may be deployed in the event of a large-scale emergency. The U. S. Office of Homeland Security provides guidance and support for the preparation and maintenance of emergency management plans.

Narrative:
The Risk Management – Emergency Action Plan developed by the Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Lower Makefield Township Police Department, was approved by the Board of Supervisors on December 16, 2020.

Evidence of Compliance:

8.6.1 – In-Service Training for Staff on General Security and Emergency Management

Standard:
Through in-service training, agency personnel shall understand their role in ongoing security and emergency management. In-service training should inform staff of their role in response to critical incidents and emergencies and provide specific procedures for routine operations.

Narrative:
Training protocol is outlined in the Risk Management Plan and Emergency Action Plan.

Supporting Documents:

Evidence of Compliance:

8.6.2 – Emergency Risk Communications Plan

Standard:
There shall be a communications plan that is reviewed and updated periodically, to accurately and effectively communicate with the public and experts during a catastrophic event that attracts significant media attention, such as a health emergency, terrorist attack, earthquake or storm. The crisis communication plan shall delineate individuals responsible for communicating with the press, chain of command on notifying proper people of the incident and communicating status updates.

Narrative:
The Risk Management – Emergency Action Plan describes the communications plan, in the event of a true emergency all staff are encouraged to call 911. For major incidents, reporting occurs in the proper fashion.

Supporting Documents:

Evidence of Compliance:

8.6.3 – Care and Shelter Procedures

Standard:
There shall be procedures to coordinate with agencies designated to provide care and shelter to those in need during disasters or emergencies.

Narrative:
Shelter in place procedures are outlined in the Emergency Action Plan.

Supporting Documents:

Evidence of Compliance: