The Kutztown Borough Police Department celebrated its 100th anniversary of serving the Kutztown community with a celebration event at Kutztown Park on Sunday, July 28.
The anniversary event drew more than 500 attendees, "reflecting strong community support and interest in celebrating this department's milestone," Kutztown Borough Police Chief P. Michael Clery Jr. said in a statement.
"The day celebrated KPD's 100th anniversary by bringing the community together to honor a century of service. It included activities that highlighted the department's history and achievements, showcasing our commitment to public safety over the years," Clery said.
The free community event featured activities and demonstrations on taser use, self defense, bike patrol, handcuffing and fingerprint technology, as well as a vehicle display.
"Some highlights include the evolution of policing techniques, more realistic training, the establishment of community outreach programs, and the implementation of modern technologies to improve public safety," said Clery. "The department has continued its commitment to community service and professional development."
Children had the opportunity to personally interact with members of the police department from getting their fingerprints taken to practicing self defense techniques. Every child had the chance to earn up to six raffle tickets, one for each demonstration they attended, to win prizes.
Plus, they could take advantage of the opportunity to dunk an officer at the dunk tank.
"We believe that the event was a success for the police department as it fostered community engagement and strengthened relationships between officers and residents," said Clery. "It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the department's legacy, capabilities, and achievements while demonstrating our ongoing dedication to the community."
The event also featured a historical display and talk.
"The event was planned to provide the community with a deeper appreciation of the police department's history and contributions, as well as to promote a sense of unity and grow the partnership between the department and residents," said Clery.
Looking forward, Clery shared the goals for the department's future.
"The department aims to continue enhancing community relations, adopting new technologies to stay ahead of crime trends, and ensuring that officers receive ongoing training to provide the best possible service to the community," said Clery.
The celebration concluded with the showing of "The Lego Movie."
100 years of service
Kutztown Mayor Jim Schlegel said one of the best parts of being mayor is being head law enforcement officer.
"I'm honored that I am the Mayor of the KPD during it's 100 year celebration," Schlegel said in a statement.
He provided a look back at the department's 100 years, thanking Chief Cleary and Sgt. Walt Stravinsky for their research into the history of the police department.
"I love this town, it's people and its history," Schlegel told the crowd from the bandshell stage.
According to the 1965 Sesquicentennial Book, in July of 1916 two constables were appointed to be on traffic duty on Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 8 to 10 a.m.
"I can understand the Sunday morning assignment, everyone attending church, but was Saturdays 2-6 p.m. for horse races or happy hour," said Schlegel.
The office of constable was an elected position and their duties were similar to a sheriff. They had a high (chief) and a low constable (assistant) designation.
On Jan. 7, 1924, Borough Council appointed George B. Kohler as police patrolman, the first police officer for the Kutztown Department of Police. The council deemed it necessary for traffic control and set his salary at $35 per month. Patrolman Kohler was given a cap and an overcoat to be worn on duty that would remain the property of the Borough.
"We believe that whoever was the 'Burges' of Kutztown was in charge of the department of police just as today the mayor is in charge of the police department," Schlegel said.
The department purchased a new Pontiac police car from Wert Wiltrout's Kutztown Auto Company in 1939.
"It's good to remember that from 1924 and into the 60s, Kutztown had major industry and the college influence wasn't as strong," he said.
The main inhabitants of Kutztown worked in either the shoe factories, a knitting mill or silk mill, the foundry, or they worked at one of the three farm implement dealers, two feed mills, the lumber mill, or many of other businesses that contributed to the local economy, he said.
In the late 70s to mid-80s, industry in Kutztown started to move out of town to new locations around the area and country, along with that some of the residents moved as well. During that same time the student population started to expand and many started living in the borough, Schlegel continued.
"Along with the increase in the student population came the need to expand our police department," he said.
Borough Council hired a police force in the 1960s with Arthur Moyer as chief, John Baily and Kenneth Stump as officers, each working a 42-hour work week with extra pay for overtime. Working eight-hour shifts, the department provided 24-hour coverage during the week. On weekends auxiliary police Russell Geiger, Franklin Hill and Earl Albericht were called in for coverage.
For special occasions like the Fair, Folk Festival, and Halloween and Memorial Day parades, more auxiliary police were called in, often as many as 15 or 20.
On Feb. 7, 1961, Borough Council changed the name to the Kutztown Police Department, under the direct supervision of the mayor, who was Woody Mertz at that time.
The new organization provided for a chief, sergeant and patrolmen ranks. The department still had one car, a Plymouth, and a force of three officers: Chief Arthur Moyer and officers John Baily and Kenneth Stump.
"A fourth police officer was considered at that time but the Council felt that an additional expense of $2,500 per year was excessive. Kutztown Borough Council did permit four emergency policemen to be appointed and utilized only as needed at a salary of $1.35 per hour," said Schlegel.
In addition to patrolling town, police duties included checking the water and sewage treatment plants and reservoir at midnight and 3:30 a.m. plus hourly in times of extreme rain.
Additional duties included protection for school children crossing Main Street and Normal Avenue. Later the school crossing duties would be taken over by local women working part time as safety control officers. Today this is done by Community Service officers, aka CSO, he said.
Early department records show drag racing on College Blvd., making u-turns on Main Street and College Blvd., littering on Whiteoak and misusing the basketball courts on Lambert Alley as concerns.
The first known location for police headquarters was the old town hall on North Whiteoak, which housed the first jail.
In 1960, the police moved to 211 to 213 West Main St. (the former National Bank of Kutztown, today a property known as "The Vault"). This also became the location of Borough Hall that same year.
In 1971 the police station set up operations in Roeller Alley due to the growth of the police department.
In 1989, the police station opened in the basement of the new Borough Hall located at 45 Railroad Street, where it remains.
Today, the Kutztown Police Department consists of an authorized 12 full-time police officers, including chief, sergeant, three corporals (one of whom is a criminal investigator), seven patrol officers, a police secretary, and five community service officers.
The department is equipped with eight patrol vehicles (six marked and two unmarked) and a special response vehicle equipped to serve as a command post in emergencies. The department also operates an automated records system, an advanced duplex communications system, and a staff of well-trained professionals.
"We take pride in our department," said Schlegel.
The Kutztown Borough Police Department was the first police department in Berks County to operate a mobile data system, providing motor vehicle information and reports to the patrol vehicles in the field, setting the standard for the eventual county-wide mobile data system in use today, he said.
"Our department was also the first in the county to install an in-car camera system," said Schlegel.
Today's technology includes body worn cameras as well as automatic license plate readers in identifying and locating wanted persons.
"Today Kutztown has a police department that is well trained and operates very professionally. The leadership of the department is the best you will find anywhere," said Schlegel. "I'm proud of Kutztown's finest. Happy 100-year birthday Kutztown Police Department."
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