Newsletter Archive
Happy Holidays from the LCSC!
2010 has been a remarkable year of growth and operational success for the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition. We are grateful to our many partners and community stakeholders who made it possible. In the first full year since the LCSC camera system expansion was completed, systems and policies were improved to ensure the continued effectiveness and high ethical standards of all LCSC programs. Our relationship with first responders continued to grow. We saw a 45% increase in the use of LCSC video as a tool for investigating and prosecuting crimes. Live, real-time monitoring of cameras by paid, well-trained civilian staff continues to be what sets the LCSC model apart. The incredible staff led by David Greiner, generated 836 pieces of footage per month. This partnership with law enforcement, the community and the courts led to an average of 15 arrests per month thanks to video evidence.
The LCSC also continued our efforts through community mobilization by reaching out to assist our neighbors. Mini-grants aided several community and faith based groups to make their neighborhoods safer through projects that prevent crime through environmental design. By partnering with Lancaster Weed & Seed, The Lancaster County Council of Churches, Bright Side Opportunities Center, and the Lancaster Bureau of Police, the LCSC convened a well-attended public meeting to address the issue of Youth Violence Prevention. The LCSC also expanded its staff by welcoming new Development Coordinator Kevin Ditzler to manage donor and community relations.
Special Thanks and Remembering a Friend
The Lancaster Community Safety Coalition has been fortunate to have many supporters in our mission to maintain and improve public safety in Lancaster’s neighborhoods. We would like to offer special thanks to the following organizations and partners.
- The LCSC Board of Directors
- Neighborhood leaders and organizers
- The Lancaster Alliance
- Lancaster County Government and the County Commissioners
- Lancaster City Government
- Lancaster Bureau of Police
- The Lancaster Bureau of Fire
- Our private sector and individual funding partners
The LCSC staff and board of directors pay our deepest respects to the life of the late Jack Buckwalter, Chairman of Lancaster Newspapers. His untimely passing left a void in our hearts and a legacy of generosity and leadership that impacted the lives of many. Mr. Buckwalter was instrumental in the creation of the LCSC. Jack’s compassion for Lancaster and its residents, his advocacy, and his generosity is sincerely appreciated and will never be forgotten.
Coming in the New Year
2011 will be a pivotal year for the LCSC. With the assistance of the Lancaster Bureau of Police, we will analyze the effectiveness of the current camera configuration using data from each of the LCSC’s 164 camera CCTV system. We are eager to identify outcomes that will allow us to determine opportunities for improving public safety including the possibility of moving underutilized units and/or expanding the current CCTV system.
We will continue to partner with local agencies to conduct Community Mobilization meetings. Look for meetings on “Dating Violence in Adolescence” in partnership with the YWCA and “Underage Drinking “in partnership with CompassMark Inc. We will also provide information on Senior Citizen Fraud Prevention in conjunction with the Lancaster Bureau of Police and AARP.
Please Give
In 2011 your financial contribution to the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition will be more important than ever. Public sector funding cuts will require the generous support of individual donors in the coming year. Although no expansion is planned for 2011, operating the system with nearly 24-hour staffing is a critical element of the program’s success.
In a Lancaster Newspapers article earlier this year, it was noted that violent crime in the city has dropped by nearly 14%. Quality policing, city housing policies and The Lancaster Community Safety Coalition cameras were cited as key contributors to the decrease in crime. The Lancaster Community Safety Coalition will continue being a force multiplier for local law enforcement and a partner to groups committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe. Your gift to the LCSC will help us accomplish that.
You can make a donation to LCSC online at www.LancasterCSC.org, or you can send gifts to us at PO Box 1591, Lancaster, PA 17608. Thank you for your consideration. Have a safe holiday season and a healthy, happy New Year!
For more information please contact Kevin Ditzler at (717) 397-3137 or info@lancastercsc.org.
Sincerely,
 Joseph R. Morales, Sr.
Executive Director
Lancaster Community Safety Coalition
P.O. Box 1591 / 262 Conestoga Street
Lancaster PA 17603
717-397-3137 / Fax 717-397-3157
Joe.Morales@LancasterCSC.org
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