Gettysburg Police Chief Robert Glenny began his presentation at the borough’s COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Task Force meeting on Thursday by thanking borough members for the “Incredible amount of support we’ve been shown. We very much appreciate that,” said Glenny.
Glenny said residents have “really been doing their part.”
Asked about personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies, Glenny said most items “should hold out for a few more weeks. The most needed item is gloves. We still have a supply, but we go through them,” said Glenny.
“We’re not in really good shape but we’re OK,” said Glenny.
Glenny said officers have been ordered to wear N95 face masks whenever they enter residential areas. “You will see the officers in masks more often,” said Glenny.
Glenny reminded the public that beginning Monday people are required to wear facemasks when they enter essential businesses. Glenny said businesses “can ask folks to leave if they’re not wearing a mask.”
Glenny said businesses having issues with the mask requirements should call the police department. Glenny said mask violations will be handled as a “trespass issue.”
Glenny said the police had not made any arrests for COVID-19 violations this week. “People are abiding by the stay at home orders,” said Glenny.
“We’ve talked to people in the parks and on the playgrounds. We’ve given warnings for minor things,” said Glenny.
Glenny said police call volumes have “been going up and down” and that the types of calls have shifted toward more domestic and in-home type disturbances.
Glenny said the force was receiving more “welfare check” type calls in which the police are asked to check on people who have missed appointments.
We’ve had some “less serious crimes reported,” said Glenny.
Glenny said the department had staffing plans in place if people become sick and that the department’s Facebook page was being updated frequently and was a good source of information.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.