On March 14th 1997 the City of Pottsville Housing Authority and the City of Pottsville Bureau of Police enacted the Police Housing Officer Program that dedicated the services of the Pottsville Police Officer. This contract was targeted to create a drug and crime free environment and to provide for the safety and protection of the residents in its public housing developments. This program desires to assist in the effort by providing effective Police services at all Housing Authority locations.
In the valiant efforts of the Housing Authority and the Police they maintain an open line of communication between both agencies to allow tenants for the peaceful enjoyment of their communities.
The current Housing Officer, Eugene M. Yourey, of the Pottsville Bureau of Police maintains this position and dedicates his services to ensure the integrity of this contract. Residents have the ability to stay in touch with the Officer Yourey and are provided with lines of communications whether with site managers or directly with the police department and enact the specialized skills to protect this community policing concept.
Officer Yourey concentrates his patrol during the hours of 1800 and 0200 throughout the developments but also has the ability to flex his hours to concentrate on high crime to maintain a directed patrol and police presence in the neighborhoods. His approach is that of a problem solver, making referrals to service agencies when appropriate, and bringing special enforcement personnel - such as the Pottsville Bureau of Police Drug Investigation Unit into operation when appropriate. The program has received much favorable press coverage and has been awarded numerous local and national citations and recognized by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General.
Residents are encouraged to report any fraud or neighborhood criminal activity and are provided with an anonymous telephone number (570-628-3626) to report problems they encounter. They can also use the e-mail address of the Police Liaison Officer policephaoffice@city.pottsville.pa.us to report problems.
By FRANK ANDRUSCAVAGE (Staff Writer fandruscavage@ republicanherald.com)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development honored Pottsville police and local housing officials Wednesday for their efforts to stop erroneous payments made to individuals who applied for housing assistance under false pretenses. John W. Clarke, special agent in charge of HUD's Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigaton, Mid-Atlantic Region, presented four Special Act Awards during a brief ceremony at the Housing Authority of the City of Pottsville office. Pottsville police Chief Joseph H. Murton V and Patrolman Eugene M. Yourey received plaques in recognition for their efforts to crack down on false claims in attempts to obtain federal housing funding. Also lauded for similar efforts were Craig Shields, Pottsville Housing Authority executive director, and Thomas R. Hale, Schuylkill County Housing Authority executive director. Special agent Dennis Madarang said the HUD district that covers Schuylkill County is based in Philadelphia and also includes the City of Philadelphia. He stressed the importance of having individual authorities as well as local law enforcement participating in Erroneous Payment Initiatives. "We could spend every waking minute in the City of Philadelphia," Madarang said, adding that local assistance is a valuable asset with enforcement. "We need you in our efforts to deter and prosecute crime in HUD housing." Clarke said that at its peak it was estimated that the government was issuing between $1 billion and $2 billion in erroneous payments to landlords - money that should have been spent on people who legally qualify for assistance. In Pottsville and Schuylkill County, Clarke said the Office of Investigation was able to make 12 arrests and also has indictments in place for others. Several convictions were also obtained, he added. "These targeted enforcement actions ensure the right people get the assistance they deserve," Clarke said. In accepting the award for Pottsville police, Murton commended Mayor John D.W. Reiley and city council for their support by allowing the department to work with the Pottsville Housing Authority. Murton also noted the efforts of Yourey, who serves as the department's housing liaison officer. "He made it possible to make cases and prosecute them," Murton said. Clarke said the collaborative effort between HUD, the county and city authorities and Pottsville police are making an impact on fraudulent claims. "We would be absolutely dead in the water without you," he said.
Pottsville officials receiving awards in Wednesday's presentation by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development include, from left Dennis Madarang, HUD special agent; John Smith, HUD special agent; Joseph W. Clarke, HUD special agent; Eugene M. Yourey, Pottsville police patrolman; Joseph H. Murton V, Pottsville police chief; Craig Shields, Pottsville Housing Authority executive director; and John D.W. Reiley, Pottsville mayor.
Pottsville's John O'Hara playground is posted as a "Drug Free Zero Tolerance Zone".
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