Local law enforcement officers, departments honored
The North Central Highway Safety Network held its annual planning session in Tamaqua on Thursday. Before the meeting, individual law enforcement officers and departments were honored for their work in combating aggressive driving. Those in attendance included: (seated) Pottsville Police Capt. John Morrow, Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver and Sgt. Ray O’Donnell of Pennsylvania State Police Troop L, Frackville barracks; (standing) Bob Schaeffer. Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Project Coordinator, Robin Rivera, law enforcement liaison, Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess, state Rep. Jerry Knowles and Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage. KATHY KUNKEL/TIMES NEWS
The North Central Highway Safety Network honored its law enforcement partners during an awards ceremony held Thursday morning in Tamaqua.
State Rep. Jerry Knowles, whose congressional district lies within the NCHSN’s scope, told participants he “wanted to be here to thank you. As a former police officer, I know how hard you work. It’s not an easy job, trying to keep our communities and roads safe. Thank you for what you do.”
Three Schuylkill County police departments, two Pennsylvania State Police barracks and three individual officers were praised for the work they did during the 2016-17 safe driving campaigns. Honorees were Tamaqua patrolman Anthony Stanell and the Tamaqua Police Department; patrolman Ryan Oldt and the Rush Township Police Department; patrolman Anthony Houser and the West Penn Township Police Department; and the Frackville and Schuylkill Haven Troop L State Police barracks.
“Trying to keep the highways safe isn’t an easy job. Day in, day out, police officers are out there trying to keep our roads and communities safe,” said Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess.
The traffic safety enforcement agency, and its partners, conduct a variety of different campaigns designed to educate motorists on the importance of wearing seat belts and using proper child restraint systems; the dangers of drunken driving; and the importance of driving defensively as opposed to driving aggressively.
County Commissioner George Halcovage summed up the event, saying “I would like to encourage all of our citizens to support and respect law enforcement. It’s you, the officers, who protect us. The safety of our communities, the safety of our families, it’s all thanks to you.
