JT police eye mobile command center

Jim Thorpe Police Department is hoping to purchase a utility trailer that will double as a mobile command center at different events in the borough.

Chief Joe Schatz said police currently have to call out borough workers to set up traffic control devices for different events, but the department would like to get its own barriers and cones and needed a vehicle to haul them around.

“We are pretty well secured with funding for the trailer and we started thinking that we could also use this as a command center,” Schatz said. “For example, if we’re at an event and we have to run an emergency response, we can do it right from that unit. We don’t have to go back over to the police station. This unit will be equipped and ready to go.”

The department sought a corporate sponsorship to help purchase the vehicle and, while details are still being finalized, they are comfortable with moving forward.

Schatz said he is hopeful the mobile command center can be up and running by this year’s fall foliage festival.

“The great thing is we’re going to be able to do this without having to use any borough money,” Schatz said. “We’ve already received some funding without our knowledge that we weren’t even expecting so that’s really great.”

The command unit’s use would extend well beyond fall foliage, Mayor Michael Sofranko said. He used other examples such as the town’s Fourth of July event, high school football games and holiday parades.

Police donations

Jim Thorpe’s police department received two donations last week, one from the Fairview Hose Company Social Club and another from Maria Lloyd of Artisanal Gifts on Broadway.

The club gave $500, with representative Jeff Delong noting how busy things have become in Jim Thorpe.

“We need more and more safety here in town,” he said. “We wanted to do something and we didn’t even know at the time what it would go toward but we’re on the upswing as a town and we appreciate everyone including the police.”

Lloyd said her donation of $300 came after her personal and business information was stolen and fake social media accounts were started using her identity.

“Everyone with the police department was so great, especially Detective Lee Marzen,” Lloyd said. “I have so much appreciation for the police, and this is a cause I want to donate to every year.”

Sofranko said the police appreciate the support from both groups.

“It really makes me feel good as a mayor to see businesses, whether it’s from the east side, the Heights, or Broadway, support this department,” he said. “They always have in the past and we know they will well into future. We have a wonderful town.”