The primary mission of the Criminal Response Unit
(CRU) is to serve the citizens of York County by deterring and
reducing criminal activity in our community. The CRU works in
support of York County Police Agencies, with specially trained
Deputy Sheriff's. The CRU also focuses upon decreasing recidivism
rates in York County by providing services directed towards
rehabilitation of offenders.
The Criminal Response Unit meets regularly with
local police departments, community leaders, community
organizations, and citizens to address areas of concern in our
community with regards to criminal activity and blight.
The Criminal Response Unit operates with
flexibility in scheduling to allow for law enforcement presence
where criminal activity requires it. Saturation patrol methods
include foot, bicycle, and motor vehicle patrols.
The Criminal Response Unit also operates a prison
inmate work crew, which works to clean litter, removing spray paint
from buildings, and other related tasks.
This specialized unit was proposed by York County
Commissioner Steve Chronister.
Criteria
Deputies assigned to the CRU
will be readily available to follow orders under all types of
conditions, and have the flexibility to improvise under extreme
stress. It is imperative that the members function in a team environment
& maintain a high degree of physical fitness. Team members
must pass a physical fitness test which includes: a 1.5 mile
run, 300 meter sprint, push ups, vertical jump, and sit ups.
Training
All CRU assigned deputies are required
to attend a number of training schools. They include:
Act 2 Deputy Sheriff's Academy (19 weeks), bi annual firearms
training (handgun, rifle, and shotgun), bicycle patrol school,
community policing training, specialized tools training (less lethal
weapons), and recertification training.
Assistance
Upon request the CRU will
provide assistance to other law enforcement agencies. Police
departments are notified immediately of any major crimes discovered
by the CRU.
Services Available
The CRU has deputies trained
to perform the following assignments and these services may be
requested:
1. Saturation patrols in areas
where drug/criminal activity is present
2. Bicycle patrol details
3. Prisoner transport details
4. Patrols combining foot,
bicycle, and motor vehicle
5. Additional patrols in areas
where burglaries, thefts, or vandalism are frequently occurring.
6. Construction site details
to prevent thefts or vandalism
7. Additional manpower at
special events such as carnivals, VIP functions, etc.
8. Additional manpower to
assist with day-to-day operations of the police department, if the
need were to arise as a result of emergency or exigent circumstances
9. work crews for litter pick
up, trash removal, painting, etc.
10. Special probation (adult
and juvenile) enforcement along with warrant details.
11. Curfew and Truancy details
Work Crews
The mission of
the Criminal Response Unit Inmate Work Crew is to perform projects
to greatly improve the appearance of the community, remove eyesores,
and take away any places where criminal activity occurs.
The Criminal Response Unit also provides multiple
work crews. This includes utilizing inmates from the York
County Prison and putting them to work cleaning up roads, clearing
brush, painting public areas, and other needs of the
community. These services are provided free of charge, upon
request, to any government agency or any non profit organization who
provides a service to the citizens of York County.
All municipalities in York County can request an
inmate work crew to assist in a project or need for their community.
From December 2008, when the program began, until
February 2010, 8,843 hours of labor were provided by the inmates to
the community. During that time they collected 1,777 bags of
trash & 346 truck loads of large items and rubbish.
Request Process for Municipalities:
1. Agency / Official will submit an Inmate Work Crew
Request Form to the Sheriff’s Office CRU/ Work Crew Supervisor. (click
on link below)
2. Criminal Response Unit Commander or his designee
will review the Inmate Work Crew Request Form with agency
representative.
3. Work crew sergeant will make initial
determination if the request meets criteria.
3. Work crew sergeant will assess and schedule the
proposed project.
4. Work crew sergeant will sign the Inmate Work Crew
Request Form.
5. Work crew sergeant will then forward the
completed Inmate Work Crew Request Form to the CRU/Work Crew OIC for
final approval.
6. CRU / Work Crew OIC, will review, approve or
decline the request based on the above criteria.
7. CRU / Work Crew OIC will then forward the signed
Inmate Work Crew Request Form back to the work crew sergeant.
8. Work crew sergeant will schedule project to begin
or notify site representative of denial
Requirements:
1. Requesting agency is required to provide all
equipment needed for requested job
(Lawnmowers, Shovels, Rakes, Trash Bags, Etc.)
2. Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the
operation of the job site.
3. Agency may request to visit job site via the
Inmate Work Crew Sergeant only
4. Security and integrity of the job site is
required for all involved parties
5. Agency requesting assistance is required to
appoint a point of contact for the C.R.U.
6. Agency point of contact is required to meet at
the job site twice daily to ensure the job is done at the proper
location and that the job is performed as expected.
7. The O.I.C. of the C.R.U. or his designee will
have a direct phone number to contact the Agency point of contact.
All Inmate Work Crew Request
Forms may be submitted to:
York County Sheriff’s Office
Crime Response Unit / Inmate Work Crew
O.I.C.
45 North George St.
York, Pa 17401
Prior to any job being performed and during each
requested work order, the following will be considered when
approving inmate work request forms:
1. Hazards to life, health, and property
2. Hazards that may develop during said work request
3. Hazards that may develop if work request isn't
started immediately
Several
other job sties are being conducted and will be posted upon
completion
York
County Pennsylvania Sheriff's Office Criminal Response
Unit press releases, news, and information.
News
& Information:
March 19
2010
The
York County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Response Unit has
strengthened its assisting role to deter crime with the new
administration of York City.......
The
primary goal of the Criminal Response Unit is to deter & reduce
crime in York County. The Criminal Response Unit will provide
various services to reduce recidivism rates and work in partnership
with local police agencies to make our communities safer.
For more information about the
Criminal Response Unit or the Criminal Response Unit Work Crews,
Contact:
