Our Positive Impact on Our Community and
City Organizations

The quality of life in Lancaster can be affected not only by the high-profile incidents that make headlines, but also by the day-to-day activities of law-breakers across the city. This includes vandalism, thefts from vehicles, gang activities, prostitution, drug dealing and use, disorderly conduct, and more. Examples of all these incidents have either been prevented by the LCSC, or have resulted in the arrest and prosecution of those involved.

Whether you are a leader of a city faith-based organization, a non-profit, an educator, or a leader in city government, you share a desire to make Lancaster a model of safety and security for everyone. This section provides a representative sampling of actual incidents where the LCSC’s services have proven to be an invaluable asset to both the community and police.

Read how the LCSC cameras led to the arrest of four individuals, and the recovery of a stolen handgun >>

Drug Dealing: LCSC monitoring staff assisted Police with working details targeting drug dealing in a particular area. Video has proved useful in obtaining arrest warrant for one suspect. (January 2009)

Drunk and Disorderly: LCSC monitoring staff observed several subjects drinking in public, subjects were also underage. Police arrived and arrested one subject for public drunkenness and resisting arrest. (January 2009)

Warrants: LCSC monitoring staff observed a subject who has been throwing trash and breaking bottles in various parts of the City was taken into custody after LSC monitoring staff spotted this subject and directed Police to his location. He was arrested on various outstanding warrants and charges are pending for his latest acts of vandalism. (January 2009)

Prostitution: LCSC Staff supplied photos of a suspected prostitute to the Lancaster Police. She was subsequently stopped by Lancaster Police. She has not been seen in the areas she was frequenting. (October 2008)

Prostitution and Warrants: LCSC Staff sighted a known prostitute and her companion. They had been spotted on a number of occasions in the Southwest area of the City. Photos were supplied to Lancaster Police. The male was later stopped and taken into custody for warrants. The female was cited on multiple offenses. Neither subject has been seen in this area. (September 2008)

Drug Use: LCSC Staff spotted a male rolling a "blunt" (marijuana filled cigar) and notified Lancaster Police. Subject was subsequently stopped. He was found to have outstanding warrants for weapons and was taken into custody. (September 2008)

Disturbance: LCSC Staff noticed a disturbance in the Southwest area of the city on Saturday night and called in to dispatch. As Lancaster Police were in route the group, numbering about 10 to 12 started fighting. Police arrived and took three into custody, two after a brief foot pursuit. LCSC Staff caught the fight, the arrest and the foot pursuit on video. (September 2008)

Warrants: LCSC Staff sent photos sent to Lancaster Police of subjects on South Water St. This resulted in the arrest of the male for warrants and the female has been receiving citations for various offenses. (September 2008)

Harassment: There has been a subject in the Northwest area of the City panhandling, trespassing and harassing people outside local bars and restaurants. He was spotted on LCSC cameras and Police Officers were directed to him and he was taken into custody for several offenses. (September 2008)

Trespassing: A subject was spotted in a local park, after hours, sleeping and when Police Officers arrived and did a background check, the suspect was found that he was wanted by authorities on local warrants and was taken into custody. (September 2008)

Prostitution: Photos of a suspicious female, possibly a prostitute supplied to Police Officers. Female was spotted by Police Officers and was found to have outstanding warrants and is now in custody. (August 2008)

Vandals Destroy Rotary Park Statue: Vandals destroyed the statue of a little girl in Rotary Park. LCSC video cameras caught the suspect running and tackling the statue until it broke. LCSC provided video to the Police. Police are still looking to identify the suspects. (June 2008)

Drug Possession: A suspect was spotted in Farnum Park rolling a marijuana cigarette.
Police arrived and took the suspect into custody for possession of a small amount of marijuana. (June 2008)

Disorderly Conduct: LCSC monitoring staff spotted a couple engaged in a sex act in Farnum Park. Police arrived and the male suspect was arrested on a warrant. The female tried to flee but was caught and cited for disorderly conduct. (May 2008)

Drug Possession: A suspect in Farnum Park was spotted by LCSC using drugs. Police arrived and arrested the woman for a small amount of marijuana. (May 2008)

Vehicle Break-Ins: LCSC monitoring staff provided video of suspects involved in several vehicle break-ins in the Northeast and Northwest area of the city. A suspect was finally captured with the assistance of several alert citizens. (May 2008)

Warrant: County 911 Dispatch broadcasted a call for vandalism in the early morning hours in the 100 block of South Queen Street. LCSC monitoring staff spotted the suspects going down an alley and to the rear of the property. Police were able to locate the suspects based on information provided by the LCSC, which led to the arrest of one suspect on an outstanding warrant. (May 2008)

Disturbance: County 911 Dispatch broadcasted a disturbance call from the management of the Prince of Subs restaurant. LCSC monitoring staff observed the suspects leaving the area and were able to direct Police to the suspects. (May 2008)

Drug Related Crime: Information provided to police from observations made led police to conduct several details using LCSC cameras. The details resulted in the arrest of several suspects for drug related crimes. (February 2008)

Shots Fired: LCSC monitoring staff was aware of shots fired in the Northeast. A suspect was spotted in the area with gun. Police were notified and the suspect was taken into custody. This incident happened in close proximity to Ross Elementary School. (March 2008)

Intoxication: County 911 Dispatch broadcasted a call regarding a person who was very intoxicated and trying to get into a car and drive. The suspect fled the area. The LCSC monitoring staff found the suspect and directed police to his location. The suspect was arrested. (January 2008)

Fight: County 911 Dispatch broadcasted a fight call for the 300 block of Beaver Street. It resulted in the arrests of two suspects. Video evidence of the fight was supplied to the police. (January2008)

Fight: County 911 dispatch broadcasted a fight and burglary call in the 400 block of Beaver Street. The suspect left the area but LCSC monitoring staff later spotted the suspect in front of the in the 200 block of South Prince Street and notified Police. The suspect was apprehended. (January 2008)

Suspected Drug Dealing:  Multiple incidents of suspected drug dealing were observed by monitoring staff. Video recordings were provided to police to aid in their investigation.
(January 2008)

Reckless Driver with a Handgun:  A citizen notified County Dispatch of a reckless driver on Harrisburg Avenue. LCSC Monitoring Staff followed the vehicle for more than eight blocks, observed the driver holding a handgun, and notified County Dispatch. Video was pushed to County Dispatch and the responding officers were informed of the gun prior to stopping the vehicle on North Queen Street. Officers responded with guns drawn and arrested the driver. (January 2008)

Auto Theft:  Video proved useful in three cases within two weeks involving recovered stolen vehicles. Recorded video revealed when the vehicles were abandoned and in each case the video showed suspects leaving the vehicles. Video recordings were turned over to the Lancaster Bureau of Police Auto Theft Unit for use in the ongoing investigation. (December 2007)

Theft from Vehicle:  A resident reported a theft from a vehicle on the 200 block of North Shippen Street, just beyond the view of an LCSC camera. A suspect matching the description was stopped by police at an intersection more than four blocks from the scene of the crime. Video footage from an LCSC camera on North Shippen Street captured the suspect fleeing the scene of the crime. Police reviewed the video and placed the suspect under arrest. (December 2007)

Drug Use in Progress:  Monitoring staff notified County Dispatch of open container violations and one person smoking a suspected crack pipe on South Queen Street. The suspects left the area in a vehicle and were promptly stopped by the police and charged. (October 2007)

Drug Possession with Intent to Deliver: Monitoring staff made a call to police regarding drug use in progress. This led the police to find 77 bags of heroin and arrest a suspect for drug possession with intent to deliver. (October 2007)

Gang Activity: Monitoring staff spotted a group gathering at Farnum Park and monitored their activities, recognizing a recent trend of fights at this location. Staff noticed that they had a unique handshake and mostly all of them were wearing red, a color associated with a gang. At one point a younger male was standing in front of an older male who had a knife open beside him, the older male punched the younger male twice in the face. Monitoring staff called County Dispatch with the details. Police arrived, took names of the individuals, and moved the group along. Video recording was provided to police to support ongoing gang investigations. (August 2007)

Disturbance/Fight Prevented:  A call for a fight at Rockland & North Streets was dispatched to the police. Monitoring staff spotted a very large group congregating in the area and updated County Dispatch with additional information regarding the magnitude of the incident. The police increased the number of officers responding to the incident and the group dispersed when the police arrived. (August 2007)

Vandalism to Vehicles: Monitoring staff witnessed two individuals running over the tops of parked cars resulting in damage to the vehicles. The suspects fled the scene before police arrived. LCSC provided high quality images of the suspects to the police, which were used to aid in the investigation. (July 2007)
 
Domestic Disturbance in Progress: Police were dispatched to a report of a domestic fight. When the police arrived, the male suspect had fled the scene. LCSC monitoring staff located the suspect on a nearby camera and directed police to the individual. He was arrested. (July 2007)

Disturbance/Fight Prevented: LCSC monitoring staff spotted a group of juveniles that were previously involved in a riot. They walked into a nearby neighborhood and were apparently preparing for a fight. Later, a vehicle approached the group and dropped off clubs and bats to the juveniles, presumably to use as weapons. LCSC notified County Dispatch. Police arrived and the group quickly dispersed. (June 2007)

Theft: Two residents reported that flowers were stolen from their window boxes. LCSC cameras captured the incident with high quality images that provided excellent descriptions of the suspects. On the next day, Monitoring Staff spotted the suspects outside their home and reported the incident to the police. Officers arrived and charged the suspects. One suspect had a bench warrant and was arrested. (May 2007)
 
Drug Use/Possession: An individual was observed smoking marihuana in a neighborhood park. LCSC notified County Dispatch. Police arrived and arrested the suspect. (May 2007)

Vandalism: Cameras recorded two juveniles on their way home from school breaking windows. The following day, an officer was positioned around the corner from the incident just after school closed, awaiting the return of the suspects. The juveniles broke two more windows and were greeted by the officer and brought to justice. (April 2007)

Sexual Assault: A repeat sexual offender assaulted and attempted to rape a minor.
Monitoring staff observed the suspect approach the victim prior to the incident. The assault occurred just outside of the view of LCSC cameras. Video recordings were instrumental to police in the identification and arrest of the suspect. (March 2007)

Theft from Vehicle: Police were dispatched to a theft from vehicle call several blocks away from the nearest LCSC camera. Cameras spotted a man with a grocery bag matching the description of the suspect as he hid a cell phone in some leafs. Police were redirected to the suspect and uncovered the cell phone as they questioned the individual. Upon closer inspection they found a car stereo in the bag and placed the suspect under arrest. (January 2007)

Vandalism: Four juveniles were seen puncturing car tires near Musser Park. LCSC monitoring staff called dispatch while the incident was in progress. The suspects fled the scene but police detained four subjects matching the description on a nearby street. Police reviewed the video footage, confirmed that they had the correct suspects, and placed them under arrest. The group confessed to eight additional vandalism incidents in the city. (November 2006)

Assault: A group of young teenagers was observed harassing an elderly man. One of the teens assaulted the man. Police were immediately notified by LCSC while incident was in progress. The suspects fled the scene. The video recordings provided an accurate account of the assault and were used by the Lancaster Bureau of Police School Resource Officers to positively identify the individuals. The assailant was arrested, which substantially dissolved the gang activity at the park that they once terrorized. (April 2006)

Drug Dealing in School Zone: LCSC alerted police to suspected drug dealing directly across the street from an elementary school. The collaborative effort of the monitoring staff and police resulted in the arrest of both a buyer and a dealer within 30 minutes. (November 2006)

"... They allow cash-strapped cities like Lancaster to boost their commitment to public safety with minimum expense. The cameras are costly, but they don't get overtime, don't require health insurance. Taxpayers aren't on the hook for Community Safety Coalition salaries.

Bottom line: The cameras are relatively cheap. And they work."

Gil Smart, Associate Editor, Sunday News

Read what other Lancaster community leaders are saying about the LCSC >>

"I’m sure the cameras have been able to supplement the police. It’s not a cure-all, but the cameras have many more
eyes than the police, who can’t be everywhere and we can’t put police
on every street."

Lancaster City Councilman
Nelson Polite, Sr.

View Mr. Polite's videotaped
comments regarding the LCSC >>