Outreach by police affirms college's commitment to safety

Monday, October 30, 2023

Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor

A Thursday open house, overlapping with continuation of People & Culture's Engagement Series, combined to better acquaint students and employees with Penn College Police.

The events provided a thorough and well-organized presentation of community resources, including the West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission, Lycoming County Crisis Intervention Services, state Sen. Gene Yaw's office, the Student Government Association, the Williamsport bureaus of fire and police, and the city's Special Response Team.

Penn College Police displayed vehicles and specialty gear, performed field sobriety tests through participants' wearing of "drunk goggles," demonstrated its taser and bean-bag shotgun, handed out hot dogs and refreshments, and conducted a tour of its Penn's Loft headquarters.

According to an informal survey of 35 students during the open house, the overwhelming majority are already quite aware of the department and give it high marks for doing its utmost to keep campuses safe and secure.

"Although that is a small pool of people, the results were very positive and tell us we're doing some good things," said David C. Pletz, chief of police and director of campus safety. "It also reinforces the additional things we have been doing off campus."

Registrants for November's Engagement Series program will visit the Dunham Children's Learning Center.

During an open house prior to the Employee Engagement event, a student interacts with David C. Pletz, chief of police and director of campus safety, and Officer Catherine J. Farr.

Nearly 30 employees gather as Williamsport Bureau of Police Sgt. Brian McGee tells them about the work of his partner K-9 Niko.

Niko waits attentively while McGee discusses his ability to detect and track. The two have worked together for three years.

Chief Pletz conducts a tour of Penn College Police headquarters, starting with the interview room.

Wearing goggles that simulate the effects of an over-the-legal-limit blood alcohol content, Timothy O. Rissel, executive director of general services, follows the instruction of Officer Jeffrey L. Hughes to attempt the one-leg stand sobriety test.