PA State Police Launches Body-Worn Camera Pilot

Issue #065

Author

Drew Griffin
08 Aug

In this Pottstown Local Scoop Issue…

🎭 Reading Theater Project Announces New 'Wonder'- Themed Season; Auditions for Opening Play 'Silent Sky' Scheduled

👮🏼‍♂️ Pennsylvania State Police Launches Body-Worn Camera Pilot Program; Trial to Shape Future Implementation Across 87 Patrol Stations

⛩️ Reading City Council Announces $7.55 Million Restoration Plan for Pagoda; Community Funding Sought for Historic Site's Repair and Stabilization

 🥊 Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg Tease Potential Cage Match; Musk's Social Media Platform X to Stream Event for Veterans' Charity

 ⚖️ Norristown Man Sentenced to 25 to 50 Years for Brutal Assault on Pregnant Girlfriend, Resulting in Death of Unborn Child

🌤️ Pottstown PA Weather

 📅 Events This Week

⚾️ Phils Game was Rained Out and Postponed for Double Header on Tuesday

⚾️ Bryce Harper Celebrates Philadelphia Fans: 'I Absolutely Frickin' Love It, I Don't Want to Play Anywhere Else'

 ⚽️ UNION Leagues Cup Game Vs Red Bulls Postponed till Tuesday Evening

 

Pottstown PA Weather

Reading Theater Project Announces New 'Wonder'-Themed Season; Auditions for Opening Play 'Silent Sky' Scheduled

The Reading Theater Project has unveiled its upcoming season, focusing on the theme of "wonder," and is kicking off with the play "Silent Sky" by Lauren Gunderson.

Scheduled to run at the Yocum Institute of Arts Education from November 2 to 5, "Silent Sky" narrates the real-life story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt. The play delves into the concept that both social and scientific progress might be challenging to perceive when entangled in earthly complexities.

Andrea Kennedy Hart will be directing the production, bringing her creative vision to the stage.

For those interested in participating, auditions for "Silent Sky" will take place on Tuesday, August 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Holy Cross United Methodist Church, located at 329 N. 5th Street in Reading. If needed, callbacks are set for Thursday, August 31, at the same time.

Full details about the roles, play, director, production, and how to sign up for the auditions can be found on the Reading Theater Project's website, at readingtheaterproject.org. This exciting new season, centered on "wonder," is set to inspire local audiences with thought-provoking performances and fresh, locally-inspired theater.

Pennsylvania State Police Launches Body-Worn Camera Pilot Program; Trial to Shape Future Implementation Across 87 Patrol Stations

On Monday, Colonel Christopher Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, unveiled the launch of a pilot program to test the implementation of body-worn cameras within the department.

Colonel Paris emphasized the importance of the move, stating, “The public rightfully expects their interactions with police be safe, respectful, and constitutional, and I believe the use of body-worn cameras shows the Pennsylvania State Police's dedication to transparent and truthful law enforcement services.”

He further explained that, much like mobile video recording cameras used in patrol cars for the past twenty years, body-worn cameras would not only offer transparency and accountability but also aid in documenting evidence in criminal cases and improving training.

As part of the pilot program, patrol troopers in Troop H, Carlisle, will wear the cameras while on duty. In a bid to reduce costs, the department will follow a shared service model, with eighteen cameras allocated to Carlisle being passed between troopers during shift changes, as detailed in a state police news release.

The trial period, set to last 60 days, will enable the department to identify best practices and policies and assess any requirements for extra equipment or software functionalities. Once the pilot concludes, the intention is to equip all 87 patrol stations with body-worn cameras.

The department has entered a five-year contract with Arizona's Axon to supply the body-worn cameras. Carlisle was chosen as the test location for its geography, reflecting the communities the Pennsylvania State Police serves. Additionally, the site's proximity to the PSP Bureau of Communications and Information Services in Harrisburg, responsible for overseeing the pilot program, made it an ideal location.

Reading City Council Announces $7.55 Million Restoration Plan for Pagoda; Community Funding Sought for Historic Site's Repair and Stabilization

The Reading City Council has determined that an estimated $7.55 million will be required to fix, restore, and fortify the stone and concrete retaining walls and concrete pathways at the local Pagoda.

During a meeting of the strategic planning committee on Monday evening, council members were briefed by Jim Boisseau, a structural engineer and tech manager at JMT Engineering in Allentown. The city had assigned JMT to perform a structural and geotechnical analysis of the existing Pagoda walls and stairs atop Mount Penn's 10-acre site.

Boisseau explained that the Pagoda was built in 1908, but most of the five sections of retaining walls were constructed in 1935 as part of Franklin Roosevelt's Works Progress Program during the Great Depression.

The inspection revealed various degrees of damage to the walls, terraces, stairs, and walkways, ranging from moderate to severe. The repair plan would include the replacement of stone steps in critical condition and non-compliance with International Building Codes. Updated railings compliant with regulations will also be installed to ensure visitor safety.

Boisseau projected that if the bid process commences this fall, the project could be finalized by the summer of 2025.

In addition to these restoration plans, the council was informed in April of a $2.87 million expense required to make essential repairs to the Pagoda building itself, which has been closed to the public since the pandemic's onset.

Boisseau clarified that despite the wall issues, the Pagoda building has no structural damage since it's anchored independently from the walls, constituting two separate structural systems.

With the combined cost of both projects amounting to $10 million, City Finance Director Jamar Kelly stated that community funding would be essential, as the city lacks the funds to cover the expense.

Council members, including President Donna Reed and Councilwoman Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz, acknowledged the need for cooperation from both private and governmental partners. Reed noted that the responsibility for the Pagoda is shared by the entire community, while Goodman-Hinnershitz emphasized the necessity to ensure the building's longevity for the next century.

The project's scale necessitates a collective approach, recognizing the historic significance of the 115-year-old building and the widespread affection for the Pagoda within the community. The initiative may become a rallying point for the community to preserve a cherished landmark for future generations.

You’re Invited To Join the Pottstown Local Scoop - Official Community Discussion Group on Facebook

We’re so glad you’ve joined the Pottstown Local Scoop - Official Community Discussion Group! This group was created as a place for residents to come together and discuss everything happening in our great town.

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just moved to Pottstown, we’re excited to have you as part of this community forum. Here are a few things we hope you’ll use this group for:

  • Share local news and events - help your neighbors stay in the know!

  • Recommend your favorite local businesses - help support our local economy

  • Ask questions and get advice about the area

  • Join or organize community groups and meetings

  • Stay up to date on town issues and developments

  • Connect with fellow residents who share your interests

  • And more! Everything Pottstown-related is welcome.

This group is for residents to discuss news, events, businesses, issues, and anything else related to our town. Let’s keep the conversations friendly, relevant, and productive.

We can’t wait to see members sharing local insights, tips, and perspectives.

Introduce yourself in the comments!

  • What brought you to Pottstown?

  • What do you love about the town?

  • What would you like to see happen here in the future?

Thanks for being part of this community forum. We’re looking forward to the great discussions ahead!

Norristown Man Sentenced to 25 to 50 Years for Brutal Assault on Pregnant Girlfriend, Resulting in Death of Unborn Child

Robert James Wiley, a 24-year-old from Norristown, pleaded guilty to the charges of third-degree murder of an unborn child, aggravated assault, and strangulation, and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.

The charges stem from a brutal attack on his pregnant girlfriend between August 8 and 18, 2022, that resulted in the death of her unborn child.

During the assault, Wiley punched and strangled the woman, specifically targeting her pregnant belly. Wiley was already out on bail for a previous assault against the same victim. The guilty plea allowed Wiley to avoid the risk of a mandatory life prison term for a more serious first-degree murder charge.

His sentence also includes mandatory domestic violence counseling and a no-contact order with the victim.

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg Tease Potential Cage Match; Musk's Social Media Platform X to Stream Event for Veterans' Charity

Elon Musk has announced that his potential face-to-face bout with fellow tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg could be broadcasted live on his social media platform X, once known as Twitter.

In late June, the two industry magnates appeared to consent to a “cage match” showdown. Interestingly, Zuckerberg is experienced in mixed martial arts and the CEO of Meta, Facebook's parent company, publicized that he finished his first jiu-jitsu tournament earlier this year.

Musk posted on Sunday, “Zuck v Musk fight will be live-streamed on X. All proceeds will go to charity for veterans.” He also mentioned his preparation for the fight, saying he's been lifting weights, even bringing them to work because he doesn't have time for a regular workout.

However, the actuality of the Musk-Zuckerberg fight in Las Vegas remains uncertain. Musk's history of announcing actions prematurely or not following through could make this another instance of talk over action. Even so, the playful exchange between the two has garnered attention.

The banter originated when Musk, the owner of X, made a playful jab at Meta's new Twitter competitor, Threads, suggesting a world “exclusively under Zuck’s thumb with no other options.” This led to a Twitter user humorously cautioning Musk about Zuckerberg's jiu-jitsu skills, to which Musk replied, “I’m up for a cage match if he is lol.”

Officials from X, Meta, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, possibly hosting the fight, have not promptly replied to requests for comments.

Musk's intention to broadcast the fight live on X aligns with his goal of transforming the platform into a “digital town square.” Yet, he's faced technical challenges before, such as those experienced during the Twitter Spaces kickoff event in May with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announcing his presidential bid. Musk attributed the delays and glitches to “straining” servers due to high demand, though the audience reached a peak of approximately 420,000 listeners, a number far from the millions typically drawn by televised presidential announcements.

Upcoming Local Events

Got an upcoming event you want us to share?

PHILLIES

Phils Game Rained Out, Will Play Double Header Today

Bryce Harper Celebrates Philadelphia Fans: 'I Absolutely Frickin' Love It, I Don't Want to Play Anywhere Else'

Baseball superstar Bryce Harper recently spoke about the passionate Philadelphia sports fans following a series win against Kansas City, expressing his deep appreciation and love for the city's fan base. During a conversation with Franzke and LA, Harper didn't hold back in his admiration for the fans' dedication and commitment.

“Everybody talks about it, right, like, ‘Oh it’s one of the hardest places to play and free agents don’t want to come here because it’s hard.’ But they just don’t understand. They don’t get it. They don’t get what it’s like to play here day in and day out, having the fan base that we do, and the way they go about it. (It’s) hard, right? But it’s incredible. I wouldn’t want a fan base, I mean I’m standing here getting chills because it’s like, I wouldn’t want a fan base any other way. They want you to work hard, they want you to play hard, they want you to perform, they’re spending their hard-earned dollar to come watch you play each night, but they have feel. They have feel for it also. I mean, I have so much emotion toward it because it’s just, I absolutely frickin’ love it. I don’t want to play anywhere else. I wish I started my career here, just the way it is and how lucky we are to do this. Just such an incredible moment for him (Trea Turner) to be able to go out there and know that the fans have his back and have our teams’ back. That should be something for us too, as a team, to take advantage of and know like, they got us. No matter what, they got us. Being able to know that on a personal level and on a team level as well, there’s nothing greater. I can go on and on, we just have such a great fan base and I am so thankful to be here and be a part of it,” Harper said.

Harper's words have resonated with many, offering an insider's view of what it's like to play in Philadelphia, a city known for its intense and sometimes harsh sporting environment. His comments also shed light on the recent ovation for Trea Turner, a moment that reflects the fans' unyielding support for the team and its players.

The debate over fan reactions, whether cheers or boos, is something that seems never to cease, especially in a city as passionate about its sports as Philadelphia. But as Harper's heartfelt statement reveals, the relationship between players and fans in Philadelphia is profound and genuine. They may demand excellence, but they also offer unwavering loyalty, and that's a trade Harper wouldn't exchange for anything else.

We could use your help

We’ve got big plans as we get up to speed! But we need your help!

One huge way that you can help us is to spread the word for us.

Know somebody who lives in the Pottstown Region and would benefit from being kept in the know?

Please share Pottstown Local Scoop with them! It’s simple! 👇👇👇

5

Reply

or to participate.