KENNEDY CHIEF PROMOTES PERSONAL TOUCH TO KEEP CRIME AT BAY

Since becoming police chief in Kennedy, Anthony Bruni has sought to
fine-tune his force by reorganizing its leadership and setting up beat patrols.

Recent changes and additions to the department continue to move Bruni's
vision forward.

Officer Thomas Ficarri, sworn in Sept. 8, is the third police officer to be
hired since Bruni became chief.

Additionally, the post of deputy chief was created and filled by Sgt.
Robert Hull, of Kennedy, who has been on the police force for 10 years. He
became sergeant eight years ago.

"There has to be a chain of command. The officers respect that. As the
system is set up, there will not be two ranking officers on any assigned
shift. Someone is in charge of each shift. The deputy chief is solely
responsible when I am not available," Bruni said.

Bruni was promoted in May after being acting chief for more than a year
during the medical leave of former Chief William B. Henry. Bruni, who was
sworn in as chief in July, has been a resident of Kennedy for nearly all of
his life and a member of its police force for 12 years.

Aside from internal changes, Bruni has steered the department by directing
his officers to take a more community-oriented approach to law enforcement.

Officers on each shift are assigned foot-patrol duty, making them more
accessible and able to deter crime. Beats have been set up at the Kennedy
Center Shopping Center, Fairhaven Park or in one of the public or private
schools in the township.

"The officers are more in touch with the community," Bruni said. "We are a
small enough community that all residents should know each police officer."

Bruni practices what he preaches. On the morning of the first day of
school, Bruni visited at least one school to greet pupils.

"This is very important," he said. "A small police department cannot be
solely administrative; you have to be accessible to the public."

Bruni said he has a good relationship with all members of his department,
encourages continuing education and is quick to commend each member for
accomplishments.

"I believe in giving credit where credit is due," Bruni said.

He commended Officer Aaron Dhanse, who recently investigated vandalism in
Fairhaven Park that caused more than $1,000 in damage. Arrests were made,
and several of the offenders have made restitution.

Bruni said he is especially proud of two programs that were recently
reinstated -- the DARE program in the elementary school and the
Adopt-a-School Program in the high school.

The DARE program in Kennedy was temporarily sidelined when drug abuse
education Officer Daniel Saniga was called to active duty by the Navy, but
officers in neighboring Robinson helped by splitting the duties.

The Adopt-a-School Program instructs high school students in careers in law
enforcement.

"Students learn that law enforcement is not just pounding the pavement,
that there is much more involved, such as computers and forensics," Officer
Anthony Ligouri said.

The highlight of the program for many students is a tour of the Allegheny
County Jail. Inmates as part of their rehabilitation, talk with students
about their lives before their arrest, describe a day in prison and discuss
what they hope life will be for them when they are released.

"It is an eye-opening experience; the students come out enlightened. As a
result, the students develop a closer relationship with law enforcement
officials and learn an important lesson: That 95 percent of the prisoners
are there for drug-related crimes, not just buying and selling drugs but
theft and assault indirectly related to drug use," Ligouri said. The tour
will take place in October this year.

The department is composed of 11 full-time officers and six cars, one
unmarked, which patrol the 5.5-square miles occupied by more than 7,000
residents. Two of the cars have computers, which provide information to the
officers within 7 seconds. One part-time and four full-time dispatchers
provide support to officers.

"The dispatchers are the lifeline of the department," Bruni said. "When we
are working in the field, we know they will react quickly and
professionally. The officers respect them, and they realize they are a
vital part of the organization."

Dispatchers have organized an Emergency Contact program in which volunteers
call elderly residents in inclement weather to make sure that they are
safe. The volunteers also take them to the doctors' office or grocery shopping.

They've also placed ribbons on the war memorial for families of soldiers
sent to Iraq and spruced up a flower bed at a local traffic island.

"We have good, dedicated people in this department," Bruni said. "That
makes my job easier