Interview With Police Chief Robert Schurr
*Note: All quotes are from Chief Schurr with the exception of those that are italicized. These quotes are my own.
Police Chief Robert Schurr
Has served our community for the past 21 years. He is a husband and father of two boys who are very involved in sports. Chief Schurr is also a part time professor at Alvernia College. He is a certified referee for Lacrosse and he coaches little league for his youngest son along with coaching other sports events with his sons. Family if very important to Chief Schurr.
1. What do you think is the greatest thing about our community?
Answer: I think the greatest thing about our community is the willingness that people have to help others in the time of need. The 2006 flood was a prime example of what can happen when a community comes together. People of all ages and all walks of life gave of their time and finances toward the clean up.
* What part do you see volunteers making in our community?
Volunteers play a vital part in our community, whether it is through working through ‘Parks and Recreation’ or giving to the food pantry, we all can make a difference.
2. What do you feel is the greatest challenge in our community?
Answer: The greatest challenge we face as a police department is the funds. With the economy going the way it is, and with no relief in sight, it is challenging because there is more that needs to be done on a lot less.
The challenge comes when we have to provide the same amount of service no matter what our funding may be. Because as the economy goes now crime goes up.
What areas of crime do you predict will increase the most if the economy continues down this same path?
Answer: As more and more families find themselves without a job, they could possibility be facing the threat and even reality of having their cars repossessed and even foreclosure on their homes.
A lot of the times, even the stress of the possibility of these things happening, we will begin to see a rise in domestic violence. And that opens up a vast of other problems.
We are already seeing this happen as some homeless people have set up tents just off High street on the border of Pottstown and North Coventry.
What do you think the answer is to helping those who are facing foreclosure on their homes?
Answer: I’m not sure what the answer is to that. As a police department there is very little we can do. We can direct them to county resources and services. Through these government agencies they can received counseling...I’m not sure what the answer is...I don’t want to be doom and gloom but I don’t see it getting better anytime soon.
Have you heard that 1 our of 5 children in America go hungry?
Answer: No, I have not heard that. ~ “My husband just heard that on the news.”
What is the average income and population of North Coventry?
Answer: In the past 21 years growth in our community has been under control compared to the areas around us. At this point the average income is somewhere between $50-$60 dollars a year. With a population of around 8,000. However, we are beginning to see an increase in the past few years and with them an whole new set of challenges arise.
What other challenges do you for see as the population continues to increase?
Answer: Crime will increase. Then there’s the traffic and with that comes speeding, road repairs. Then there’s the challenge with water drainage and road crews trying to keep up with it all.
3. What is one thing that would make family life better in our community?
Answer: We see a lot of building but it would be nice if we could provide more things for families to do together.
How can you see this happening?
Answer: Well ‘Parks and Recreation’ has been trying to get people out to the new park.
It would really be nice if we could have an outside movie for the community.
“You aren’t going to believe this...we planned this at the church two different times. The first time we advertised Pottstown’s largest bowl of popcorn...the night of the movie we have a sever thunder storm with lightening and the work. So, a couple of years later we planned another movie night and the exact same thing happened again.” LOL Chief Schurr said, “Oh No!” My response, “Maybe we need to try this again!” I believe we will!!!
4. Is there anything you see happening in the future that you are concerned about?
Answer: I look at what is going on in Iraq with the war at and all and I am aware that there are those who could be planning to bring harm to North Coventry. As I look at Rt. 100 being a major highway in PA; North Coventry boarders two major counties. We also have the power plant, however, that doesn’t concern me as much as having the mall and the schools. They are more of a concern for me.
Can you tell me what the security is like in the schools?
Answer: Security in the school has increased a lot over the past few years. At this point you can not just walk into a school in North Coventry. The buildings are kept locked at all time. Once a door is opened for a visitor they must report to the office where they will talk through a protective glass and from there will be issued a badge to be in the building.
Owen J. Roberts High School has two officers that carry firearms. Along with that our department does random patrols. It has been proven that having just having a presence it a great deterrence in keeping order.
What do you think the percentage is of those who would be qualified to assist in the event of a tragedy in our community?
Answer: That would be hard to say. There may be people we are not aware of. As I think about the fire company - there are 50-60 members. But then it would depend upon the size of the emergency. If the emergency is small the more qualified people we would have. If the emergency is on a larger scale the number qualified would be a lot less. Out of the 8,000 residence I would assume maybe ten percent of our community would be qualified to assist in a tragedy.
“Ten years ago we had a group scheduled to come to the church to offer training for such happenings. Then September 11 hit and it was canceled. With all that was going on in our world at that time this slipped pass us and never happened.”
Do you feel that offering training would be beneficial for those in our community?
Answer: Yes
Who would you suggest we contact for such training?
Answer: Red Cross. West Mont Christian School here in North Coventry is a Certified Red Cross Shelter. Again working through the school systems is a good way to go.
5. What is a new affordable service that would really help our community?
Answer: The first thing that comes to my mind is the need for two ATV four wheelers. With the purchase of the new park and the push for getting the community back to the nature, many have begun to walk the trails. We also open the park for a short time each year for dear hunter, to help keep the population down. My concern is, if something were to happen while people are on the trail we have no way of getting to them. We would also use the four wheelers to patrol all
the open space.
What is the cost for two ATVs?
Answer: We can get two four wheelers, loaded with the needed equipment and a wagon for 20 to 25 thousand dollars.
Has money been placed in the budget for these vehicles?
Answer: No! With the economy and staffing the department some feel those are more of a wish rather than a need.
What other services do you think would be helpful for the community?
Answer: I think inviting the community to an open forum to express their concerns would be a great place to start.
Where do you see something like this taking place?
Answer: The schools is a good place because it is the easiest and most effective way to advertise any event.
These could be held as to two day seminar, one evening class or one class on early Saturday morning...with each class lasting one to two hours.
What topics would you like to see covered?
Answer: There is always a need for the following: Child Seat Safety; Drug and Alcohol Use among teenagers; Internet Safety; Bring in someone to talk to teens about suicide.
“We at Calvary have worked with your department in the past, hosting Internet safety classes to educate parents on how to protect their children. Even with all the promotional avenues we used there were only a handful in attendance.”
Answer: I remember that. I believe we all face the challenge of getting others to see the importance of being educated in these area. Let’s face it everyone knows a child needs to be in a car seat however, they don’t always know there is a proper way to make sure the seat is secure properly.
6. What is a service that really needs to be improved?
Answer: The biggest need I see at this point and time is the need for mental health services. We receive calls all the time from those who are challenged in this area. Those who think someone is out to kill them. They see things and hear voices.
We have one person that calls 911 at least ten times a month. Because it is a 911 call we and the fire company must respond.
How do you handle these calls?
Answer: It’s challenging because there is really nothing we can do. We call the mental health services and are told if the person is not harming themselves or not a harm to others there is noting they can do. It’s sad to think that something really bad has to happen before anything can be done to help these people. If there was some way to provide early identification, early intervention it would same them a lot of trouble later in life.
7. Are you hiring?
Answer: We are not hiring at this time. At this time we have a total of fourteen officers; twelve men and two women. If I could I would hire tomorrow. However, right now we are facing budget cuts and threats of lay offs.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this interview and I am looking forward to what is in store for us and our community. May God help us to make an even great impact!
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