CALL 9-1-1!!!
An important reminder from Chief Coleman McDonough….
As a relative newcomer to Mt. Lebanon (I’ve only been the Chief of Police here for five years), perhaps I’m just not yet familiar with some of the customs or traditions that have evolved here over time. Many Mt. Lebanon residents pride themselves on their welcoming attitude toward strangers, and go out of their way to welcome new people to their neighborhoods. Based on recent events, I can only assume that as an extension of that spirit of hospitality, some of our residents are apparently NOT alarmed when they run into strangers inside their own homes. Were our residents suitably alarmed, one might assume they would CALL THE POLICE when they encounter intruders in their homes.
Recently we’ve had at least two occasions when Mt. Lebanon residents have discovered strangers inside their homes. In both cases, the residents waited literally hours to call 911 to report the intruders. Another resident discovered a strange man attempting to turn the knob on the front door; she too failed to call the police for several hours. Two of these three incidents occurred on the same day and in the same neighborhood as another successful burglary.
The Mt. Lebanon Police can help deter crime here, but without citizens taking common sense steps to assist us, our mission is much more difficult. Compare the failure of our burglary/trespass victims to call 911 to a recent robbery victim’s actions; by immediately dialing 911, the robbery victim ensured we were able to quickly respond and take two suspects into custody within minutes.
If you believe a crime may be occurring, or if you simply think something is suspicious, please don’t hesitate toCALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. If it turns out to be just a “misunderstanding”, we’ll sort that out when we get there. Better to apologize to someone who mistakenly enters your home than to allow a burglar to walk away and return to your neighborhood to prey on you and your neighbors.
If you suspect something isn’t right, here’s the short version:
What NOT to do:
- Wait for your wife or husband to come home? NOPE
- Call Aunt Myrtle for advice? NOPE
- Email your Mt. Lebanon Commissioner? NOPE
- Call the maintenance man at your church? NOPE
- Post a query on Facebook? NOPE
What to DO:
CALL 911
Repeat after me . . . CALL 911 !!!!!!
30 comments:
The chief has made a case why every Mt Lebanon homeowner needs to own a gun!
Oh, geez. you said "gun". Now Linfante is going to have the police start going door to door..
It would not surprise me at all to learn that these two idiotic residents don't vote, go to public meetings or read newspapers; but, I'll bet they're on Facebook, tweet incessantly and watch a whale of a lot of junk TV. Just part of a growing percentage of our society.
And they're the last ones that should be able to own firearms.
5:24 PM, I believe Chief McDonough's message was
CALL 9-1-1.
Elaine
Hi Elaine,
I agree that was the chief's message, but the comment at 5:04pm raises an interesting point, "What happens before the police arrive?" Can anyone anywhere rely upon the police to protect them? I don't think so!
It sounds like break-ins have become more common. It's not uncommon for the police not to report crimes, and many crimes are never reported. This means that our crime statistics understate the real problem. As one officer told me, "Where there's a drug problem there's a problem with crime." - and we all know that Mt Lebanon has a drug problem.
Those new to Mt Lebanon need to know that PA has a Deadly Force Act and that PA is an Open Carry State. Most Mt Lebanon residents are heavily armed.
As for 10:18pm, I have one question, "Why aren't Mt Lebanon Schools gun-free zones?"
John, how do you know that most Mt. Lebanon residents are heavily armed?
Elaine
I see Lebo Alerts asking residents to lock their doors to their homes and cars. What is in the chief's message is that there are some people who do not call 911 immediately. I seem to be getting a different message than you are.
Elaine
I've investigated gun sale and permit data.
Elaine,
If the alerts are asking residents to lock the doors of their cars and their homes then that message is a call to action, isn't it? Because if the residents are being asked to lock their doors then it's because there are people who are trying to get into people's cars and homes, right? - and that means that there's a problem in the community that the McDonough and whomever sent out the alert are trying to address.
That brings us back to the question of what to do if you're waiting for the police to respond. Face it, if one person has a gun then that person has placed herself into a position of superiority; but if everyone has a gun then then her position of superiority has been eliminated.
Many believe that arming everyone will actually reduce crime precisely for the reason that I have outlined above.
I'm not asking everyone to buy a firearm, but if you chose to remain unarmed you'll do so at your own peril.
Love the Chief. His state of incredulity is well communicated!
John,
I really don't like where this is going. This isn't about firearms and who has them and who doesn't.
You are a very smart man. I don't need to tell you that the Chief is telling you that if there is something not right, don't hesitate to call 911.
Elaine
The police are good at protection. Two men came to my door in the middle of the night during a polar vortex. I called 911 and described the car/men. In under 10 minutes the police came to my house, told me they had already found the car/men and ascertained their intentions. The men, one of whom lived nearby, were actually good samaritans who attempted to alert me to something of concern on my property, of which we were able to observe and confirm.
If, by chance, I learned every home owner had a loaded gun in Mt Lebanon, I would move out in a heartbeat.
I can't speak to Kendrick's numbers, but I can tell you that I am a Mt. Lebanon resident and both my wife and I own guns. Is gun violence a big problem here? Do the police in this town respect the Second Amendment? I'm not a native so I'm just asking.
8:18, where would you move?
To another place where every home has a loaded gun?
The point is, there are neighborhoods here where everyone leaves their doors unlocked and neighborhood adults and kids are free to come and go at will.
It's not easy for parents to figure out who is a friend or foe unless they know who their kids' friends are.
It makes sense to keep the doors locked, know your kids' friends, and clean up the house so papers and valuables are easily accounted for.
Bob D,
Mt Lebanon is not a violent community and our traditional crime statistics are well below the national average for violent crime. Gun violence is not a problem in Mt Lebanon.
Why is Mt Lebanon safe? There are a number of reasons. Traditionally we have a reputation for good police services. The traditional demographics of Mt Lebanon have included a number of middle to lower middle class WW II Veterans who tended to be tough on crime and extremely supportive of the police. Others may argue that a high level of gun ownership in the community is a deterrent to crime.
To know what's in the mind of a criminal you need to ask a criminal and the police do when they interrogate them. I'd defer to Coleman McDonough to provide us with insights on how to make our community safer; but as you listen to his suggestions please remember that he is in a political job and like all of us he has personal political views also.
I'd like to see an article from Coleman that discusses his philosophy on law enforcement along with tips about the ways to stop crime. I will share that he and I differ on the use of cameras in public areas as a means to monitor but he's a professional and subject matter expert and I am not.
Welcome to Mt Lebanon!
8:18. Please go, then. People like me value personal safety, privacy and the right to live in harmony unimpeded by individuals who would otherwise seek to do us harm. People like you are of the same ilk who think it's cute to try to feed grizzly bears in the wild and wonder why you get your face ripped off. You called the police because someone knocked on your door? Seriously? Careful, that kind of behavior might send the wrong message to our realtors who are going to try selling the community based on safety...or a new high school...or turf...I keep getting confused.
Further, much to the chagrin of the gun control crowd, statistics support the idea that where gun ownership is widespread, the crime rate is lower. It's been shown again and again and again yet some people in our country stick their fingers in their ears. I'd be happy knowing for a fact that "most" households in Lebo are armed. I support responsible gun ownership and use. There is a reason background checks are conducted when you purchase a gun.
I think the Chief's message is a basic one and chock full of common sense. 911 exists for a reason. And despite some residents' views or opinions, the fact is we have a professional force. When you see three officers involved in, say, a DUI, the purpose is twofold. First, it's safety. Even here in our magic kingdom, the police face the same potential dangers they would anywhere else including physical harm or even death. They never know who will be in the car or that person's mindset.
Second, when our boys in blue roll out in force, especially on a main drag like Washington, it sends a very clear message: think before you do something dumb here in LeboLand. I applaud the Chief and his staff. Those guys are the reason most of us don't even think twice about walking around this community at night. But again, should you run into an issue, it's three digits--911. That'll send the cavalry.
1:06. I called the police because two men were outside my house during the coldest day of the winter and in the middle of the night. My dog heard something outside and was barking. One man was doing something at one door and another at another entrance. I could not see their faces -- the wind was blowing snow, etc. No, I didn't open the doors and ask, "how can I help you?". I used my best judgement by ensuring my safety and theirs by calling 911. The police agreed with my actions.
Also, it's your right to believe everyone should have a loaded gun. I strongly disagree and I would not feel comfortable when that's the prevailing mode of operation among citizens.
2:39 ....and if you had a gun, we can all imagine the lives destroyed if you had killed one of your neighbors. Stand your ground farce and all that!
2:39--how many criminals have you known to be out on the coldest day of the year in the middle of the night? And di they knock as you stated or were they just trying to enter the house?
And I didn't say "loaded guns". Any responsible gun owner knows you don't keep a gun sitting around loaded at all times. I said "armed", meaning having the ability to load the weapon and use it.
And really, it doesn't matter what you're "comfortable" with. I have the right to defend myself and my family. Period. If you're not "comfortable" with that, then I suggest you move to Chicago. It's the safest city in the U.S...if you overlook the homicide rate... Or maybe our nation's capitol? Their gun control measures, designed to make people "comfortable", have worked out really well for the citizens who reside there. Or maybe Detroit. Or Oakland, CA.
Just let those of us who value our rights exercise them.
2:39 having a firearm could be "the prevailing mode of operation among the citizens".
It might not be.
You don't know, because people are carrying concealed or in their homes.
Quite frankly, unless someone is pointing a gun at me, or there is illegal gun activity in my town, I don't care and neither should you.
We all agree on this: if you don't like guns, don't buy one.
The chief is saying you should call for a guy with a gun if you feel a stranger is in your house.
Are you going to ask the 911 operator to have the police leave their guns at the station?
One of my favorite sites is this:
http://sheriffalleghenycounty.com/vufa_most_wanted.html
Notice not one of them is from Mt. Lebanon.
There may be other traits they have in common.
I hope this makes you feel better.
Facial hair?
I knew I didn't like where this was going. It isn't about guns and who has them and who doesn't.
Let's try to keep in mind that if there is a problem, please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1. I just wish we had other options to contact the police department for non emergencies or animal control other than reaching 9-1-1.
Elaine
They all have brown eyes, Elaine.
Setting the record straight: There were no knocks on the doors that I ever heard. All I saw were 2 large figures of adults in winter gear, with a car parked on the street, that were approaching two different entrances - like pacing up to the door and away from the door -- as if they were trying to find an entry.
I am just telling you what I did after being awoken to this situation and how the police responded. I stated to the police when they came, "I wasn't sure if they were good guys or bad guys and I just thought I should know" and they said, "We feel the same way".
In my comment, I did not intend to threaten anyone's right to own a gun or to tote a gun to the door of your home in the middle of the night. You can do what you want, but I am sticking with advice from the Chief: call the police when you encounter suspicious situations and let them do their job.
6:36, my next door neighbor called the cops on me and said I was staring at them.
I hope they move away so they can feel safer.
7:04pm, you may want to call the Mt Lebanon Community Relations Board and ask them if they can provide any assistance with your problem.
Try calling Susan Morgans, the Community Relations Board liaison and Mt Lebanon PIO.
http://lebomag.com/about/pio/
If you explain your situation to her then she may be able to help. The Community Relations Board is designed to deal with problems like intolerance and the Board is now involved with relations between neighbors.
After you call, would you mind sharing your experience speaking with Ms Morgans with all of us?
Biggie for LeboLand - What to do about barking dogs? And on the 4th of July those dang fireworks! But all will be A-OK when all the fields are turfed and lighted. That's will really increase my house's value! Guess we move our bedroom to the basement.
9:59, please seek assistance from the Mt Lebanon Community Relations Board. Shouldn't this be a matter of coordinating community events so that they are minimally intrusive? The PIO can tell you who to contact, or maybe she can handle the problem herself?
9:59 PM, there is an ordinance against barking dogs after a certain period of time. I am not sure if it is 15 or 20 minutes. I haven't looked it up. Believe it or not, what you are supposed to do is call 911.
Elaine
Interesting.
Yes 3:51 & 10:06 - it's 15 minutes ; and, is the result of an effort by long time resident Bill Schmeltzer, now deceased, who had a back yard neighbor whose dog barked incessantly day & night when put outside. Bill called the MLPD who recorded the barking (as did Bill) on numerous occasions. Bill had the backing of his Commissioner and the MLPD and the ordinance was passed. The dog owner refused to comply, was cited and fined repeatedly and eventually moved.
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