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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, March 23, 2020

NorCo DA: Law Enforcement Prepared and Ready

FROM NORTHAMPTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY TERENCE HOUCK:– Northampton County District Attorney Terence Houck announced today that Municipal Police and Pennsylvania State Police have entered into a cooperative agreement to ensure proper police coverage amid the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

D.A Houck announced the implementation of a Mutual Aid Agreement which provides countywide jurisdiction and enforcement powers to Municipal Police Departments while the emergency conditions of this pandemic continue.

On March 23, 2020, every Municipal Police Department in Northampton County, at the request of the Office of the District Attorney, signed a written Mutual Aid Agreement which grants countywide jurisdiction to each department, should the COVID-19 virus affect the number of officers available for the individual department’s allocation of police services. It also permits enforcement of all laws beyond the individual department’s municipality.

The Pennsylvania State Police also joined this effort by signing the agreement, pledging to assist any local departments who have coverage issues due to this pandemic. “I’d like to thank PSP for their continued assistance to our local law enforcement,” Houck said.

“I would like to commend the effort of our law enforcement agencies in their willingness to come together so quickly to ensure our communities remain safe by receiving continued services and protection through this trying time. This Agreement ensures law enforcement protection to all areas of Northampton County notwithstanding the volatile nature of this disease. Law enforcement stand prepared and ready,” District Attorney Houck said.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Houck wasn't "prepared and ready" to hold SBRPD accountable. His words are silly and he should just stay home and shut up.

Anonymous said...

I can’t imagine too many policemen stopping a car, hearing a fellow citizen plead “I can’t hold off, we’re suffering at home.” Then, the officer just says “Step out of the car, Sir.”

This is mind boggling for America.

Anonymous said...

Hey, we're still free to drive around aimlessly. But from what can't they supposedly hold off--going through the drive-up at Dunkin'?

Anonymous said...

https://www.addictioncenter.com/news/2019/09/police-at-highest-risk-for-suicide-than-any-profession/

New Study Examines the Tragic Relationship Between Police Officers and Suicide.

According to the current rate of illness and death from Covid-19 among police, substance abuse and suicide is a more threatening problem.

Anonymous said...

For those who can't understand the agreement, it has nothing to do with organizing every cop into an army.

Sadly, some cops in some municipalities are taking off for two weeks paid, stating they have a sick child, or family member, and are quarantining themselves. No, I won't say which, and who. Some may be legit.

The agreement allows an officer from any municipality to cover another municipality that may be short on manpower, giving them authority to act within a jurisdiction that isn't their own, as if it were.

Relax conspiracy theorists.

Anonymous said...

7:51PM

Wait for the target, you let that rip to early, let'm take the bait before you state the obvious.

Anonymous said...

Was the Northampton County Sheriff's Department included in this agreement? If not, why? All law enforcement resources should be utilized at this time.

Anonymous said...

Make sure they patrol the Gaint Parking lot to ticket truckers