Media, PA – Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, City of Chester Receiver Michael Doweary, and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced Wednesday that they have partnered to support the City of Chester’s efforts at curbing gun violence in the city.

In making the announcement, the District Attorney explained the rationale for this collaboration. “We know from our own experience, as well as decades of research from cities across the country, that community policing makes a difference. Putting officers on the streets, out of their patrol cars, builds trust, and is essential to both preventing crime and solving crime. This office has been supporting the Chester Police Department by funding these “Operation Safe Streets” details for more than a year. We are incredibly grateful that the Pennsylvania State Police, at the request of Receiver Doweary, have agreed to partner with us by joining Operation Safe Streets and deploying Troopers to help with our community policing efforts in the City of Chester,” said DA Stollsteimer.

Mayor Kirkland echoed the DA’s statement of thanks to our State Police partners. “The Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods is a truly collaborative effort bringing public agencies, law enforcement, and community groups in our City together behind the shared goals of improving the public safety and quality of life for Chester residents. I am appreciative of our State Police for partnering with us in this noble effort.” said Mayor Kirkland.

Chester Receiver Michael Doweary added, “The progress that has been made in reducing gun violence in Chester is making a difference every day in the lives of City residents. That progress is the result of the collaboration among the Chester Police Department, the Mayor’s office, and the District Attorney’s office known as the Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods (CPSN), and my office is fully supportive of that collaboration. Improving public safety is not only critical to the mental and physical health of residents, it is also essential to the economic viability of the City. There is not one single answer to the city’s financial situation, but supporting partnerships such as this one is an example of the creative approaches that we are trying to nurture and support. I want to personally thank the PSP for their willingness to help us fill the staffing gap at the Chester Police Department. With their help we hope to ensure that CPSN continues to grow and thrive in the City of Chester.”

The partnership with the State Police began in late March and will continue through June. At that time, the parties will evaluate the program and assess future needs.
Contact: Margie McAboy, Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, 610-579-0429
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