March 22, 2020

RE: Locust Township Police Modifications in Response to COVID-19 Threat

To address the on-going concerns surrounding the presence of COVID-19 in the Roaring Creek Valley area, the Locust Township Police Department is implementing modifications to our response protocols. These modifications are for the safety of our employees and the citizens we serve.  Our goal is to try to prevent or contain the spread of COVID-19, especially to those in the high-risk category.

Citizens are strongly encouraged to utilize on-line and telephone reporting options to file Police reports when Police response is not paramount.

This does not apply to emergency calls, where crime is in-progress, violent in nature, or when suspects may still be on scene. You are to still call 911 to report an emergency.

Police Non-Emergency: 570-784-6300

Office Telephone Reporting: 570-799-5806

On-line Reporting: crimewatch.net/l/117730 or https://columbia.crimewatchpa.com/locusttwppd/44063/report

If an officer is needed to respond to a call for service and if applicable for your individual circumstance, do not be offended if an officer attempts to maintain a social distance of at least six feet from you. An officer may also ask you to exit your home to speak with him/her.

The Locust Township Police Department will continue to provide the same high-quality service that has exemplified our department for decades. We ask for the public’s patience and cooperation in our effort to maintain the safety of both citizens and officers in this trying time.

• Please do NOT enter the Locust Township Police Department if:
• your report can be taken outside your home.
• you have a fever or have had a fever within the last 24 hours.
• you have traveled outside of the United States within the last 14 days.
• you are experiencing, flu-like symptoms, a cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath.

Please remember we are committed to serving our residents, business community, and visitors, but in order to do this on a continual basis we must try to ensure our officers and staff remain healthy.  We are taking these extraordinary steps as we are experiencing extraordinary times. We must try to minimize health risks to employees and our community, especially those most vulnerable to the coronavirus. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.  Thank you.

Chief Allen L. Breach

a.breach@locustpd.com