KITTANNING POLICE CHIEF ASKS CRIME WATCHERS FOR HELP

KITTANNING -- More than 70 borough residents came prepared to take a
bite -- out of crime that is -- at yesterday's Crime Watch meeting
held at the Church of God on Woodward Avenue.

One of the Crime Watch organizers, Frank Soloski, said the borough
has a major problem and that problem is the borough's top concern, drugs.

Police chief Ed Cassesse said the drug problem is rampant not only
in Kittanning, but all boroughs in the county and he explained the
importance of Crime Watch to law enforcement agencies.

"We are here tonight to recognize and understand the drug problem.
Quite frankly, the Kittanning Police Department, like other agencies
including state police, lack adequate manpower resources. We
normally have two officers on a shift and we can't be everywhere.
But you can," Cassesse told the audience. "You must be our eyes and
ears and it's that simple. Crime watch volunteers report suspicious
behavior to Armstrong 911 and they will relay the information to us.
We will follow up on all information received. You do not have to
have an emergency to call 911. As part of Crime Watch you may call
to report suspicious activity, whether it is drugs or any type of crime."

He said Crime Watch volunteers are assigned an identification number
and only he knows to whom the number is assigned.

"Some people are apprehensive about reporting crime for various
reasons. But when you use your Crime Watch ID number, I am the only
one who knows who you are, even the 911 operators don't know.
Volunteers may be issued a special cell phone that dials 911 only,
so you are put in instant contact with someone. Moreover, calls
to 911 reporting suspicious activity do not go out over the radio.
That's because drug dealers and other criminals often have police scanners."

Cassesse said two alleged drug dealers were arrested in the vicinity
of Whelen Park recently.

"You see kids playing in the park all the time," he said,
"especially with the nice weather coming. But you may see one kid
break away from the group and go up to a car and pass money to the
driver in exchange for a small envelope the size of a postage stamp.
You've probably witnessed a drug deal. That's the type
of information we need. We need a description of the car and
registration and as much other information as you can supply."

The meeting was attended by a number of officials including Ford
City Mayor Marc Mantini and Ford City Crime Watch coordinator Eugene Banks.

"The information you give may seem irrelevant," Mantini said. "Not
every call results in a 'grand slam' drug bust. You may only give a
small piece of the puzzle, however, it may fit other pieces police
have, and it may be the piece that solves the puzzle. Police trade
information. Drug dealers who deal in Kittanning may also deal in
Ford City, or Leechburg, Vandergrift or Apollo, so your problem in
Kittanning is also our problem, That's why we're here tonight to
encourage as many people as possible to sign up for this program."

Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi said that police
cannot be 100 percent effective without crime tips from residents.

"I honestly can't tell you how much of a difference a good Crime
Watch program will make," Andreassi said, " but I can say with 100
percent certainty that without Crime Watch our problems will get worse."

Cassesse said the Crime Watch program was instituted in the borough
about two years ago and information given by members and other
residents led to several major arrests for drug activity. After
about a year, however, some residents lost interest in the program
and it went into a state of hiatus.

"We need this program and we're here tonight to rekindle interest,"
he said. "Our drug problem has not gone away but those of us in law
enforcement know the Crime Watch can and does make a difference, it
makes police more effective."

Kay Owen, executive director of ARC Manor, a Kittanning based drug
and alcohol addiction and recovery center, said it is vital for all
residents to be able to properly identify drugs and understand signs
of drug use. She said a "Drugs 101" seminar for adults only will be
held at Lenape Technical School May 1.

"This is a free program sponsored by ARC Manor and Lenape Technical
School," Owen said, "designed to educate parents and other adult
family members about the signs, symptoms and current trends in drug
and alcohol abuse among teens."

"A mock teenage drug user's bedroom is set up for the presentation.
Parents have the opportunity to inspect the set up and learn about
hiding places for drugs and alcohol and about common household items
used to make drug paraphernalia. We encourage all to register as
quickly as possible. Drugs 101 is limited to 100 people and those
attending will receive a free take-home drug testing kit."

Owen said the program will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and again
from 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 1 at Lenape Technical School To register
call ARC Manor at 724-548-7607 or register on-line at: www.arcmanor.org.

Cassesse said anyone interested in signing up for the Crime Watch
program may call the borough police at: 724-543-1538.

"You don't have to be a borough resident to sign up for this
program," he said. "If you work in Kittanning or are in the borough
on a regular basis you may sign up."