Canonsburg Police Department

WARNING FROM WASHINGTON PD

Today, I attended a roundtable meeting with several other local chief's of police and our state representatives/senators who represent the municipalities along the I-79 corridor. It was a very informative meeting where the chiefs and our political representatives voiced their concerns and opposition to the proposed TOLL BRIDGE on I-79 that crosses over Rt. 50 at Bridgeville. Keep in mind this is an existing roadway and NOT a new bridge or roadway. If you live south of the br...idge and travel I79 to work you will be met with a $1 or $2 toll each direction. That would have the economic impact of $520 to $1040 in annual tolls to your household. I expect this will significantly impact traffic coming into Canonsburg via Morganza Rd. and SR 980 as vehicles exit the interstate to avoid the tolls. Below are some links to get you started: https://www.wboy.com//penndot-announces-plans-for-tolls-o/ https://www.wtae.com//some-drivers-upset-about-po/35568606 https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com//lawmakers-working-on-bill

Once again we are expecting some difficult driving conditions over the next 24 to 48. Getting snow plows through some of our streets is always challenging. Last time we put out some recommendations which greatly helped our street department with the snow removal. If your street previously received a letter with special instructions then please follow these directions again.. otherwise please read the following recommendations.. In order to protect your vehicles and property ...we are asking borough residents to do the following to ensure that the snow removal is efficient and safe for everyone's vehicles: 1. If you live in a plan where there's no on-street parking please keep your vehicles off the street and do not park at the end of roadways or in the cul-de-sac. 2. If you live on a street where there is on-street parking then please park as close to the curb as practical and fold in any mirrors. If parking is on both sides try not to park adjacent to another vehicle across the street. Remember the truck and plows are wide and have to have room to push snow. Other things you can do to help is be neighborly. Many packages and mail must be delivered so keep your sidewalk cleared of snow. Check on your elderly neighbors. Help them shovel snow. Keep fire hydrants accessible. Clear any snow around them. Please don't shovel your snow onto the roadway. Thank you everyone. Here's to hoping for an early spring

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Ptlm. Paul Sharkady. Paul passed away earlier today. He began his career in Canonsburg when he was hired as a policeman in 1966 (see photo) where he and his wife Wanda of 60 years resided. Paul retired in 2002 after 36 years of service, and continued to serve his community for several years as a Canonsburg Councilman. Please keep Paul and his family in your prayers.

THANK YOU EVERYONE. The owner was found and the dog is safely back home to enjoy the holidays!

On December 2nd between 8am and 9am the DEP will be releasing gas through flare stacks at the Cecil Street Ball Fields. Expect to see some flames in the area.

A special thank you to all our veterans on this Veterans Day. Especially to all those veterans who went on to serve with their local police departments.

We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Magda Brown Gibbs. Magda was a valuable member of the police department who served as a school crossing guard at the intersections of West Pike Street and Hutchinson Ave. at St. Patricks School. She made an everlasting impression on our youth as they made their way to and from school. She was always kind and caring and thought of the children as her own. She was a true protector . The children she protected are grown adults n...ow and we know a part of her lives in each and every one of them. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the Gibbs Family. She will be sorely missed. (The attached newspaper clipping is from the Observer Reporter courtesy of the Gibbs Family. The picture says it all.)

Recently the Mayor and I took delivery of our most recent rifle rated ballistic shield. This purchase was made possible by funding via a grant from County Hauling, Noble Environment Award Green Gift. Though it may not look like much in the picture these shields cost several thousand dollars each. It will greatly increase the safety of our officers on the street.

Another year has passed and it's hard to believe that it's been 4 years since the tragedy that rocked this police department and the residents of Canonsburg. On November 10, 2016. Officer Scott "Scotty" Bashioum paid the ultimate price when he was killed in an ambush while responding to a domestic call. He was a man dedicated to his family and friends. He previously served in the fire service and as a veteran of the United States Air Force. Let's not forget Dalia Sabae and... her unborn child who were murdered that same morning, Let's not forget that another officer James Saieva was also shot and wounded. We will always remember the way the Canonsburg Community, our neighboring communities, and law enforcement family/ first responders came to our aid in the days and months that would follow. We couldn't have healed and moved forward without your love and support. Most of all We ask that you keep "Scotty" and the Bashioum Family in your thoughts and prayers.

As many of you are aware we had a major fire in the borough this week at the Summit Avenue Apartments. Dozens of people were displaced. Our town, once again has been amazing and many people have been asking where they can make donations. You may take your donations to the Methodist Church located at the corner of Iron Street and West Pike Street on Wed. 9/30 12pm to 6pm and Thurs. 10/1 from 10am to 2pm. We were informed that men's clothing and toiletries are especially needed.

I’m proud to announce that the Mayor and Police Chief have joined with Borough Council and community church leaders, who have come together to have the hard, but needed conversations, and address racism and inequality in our community. Through these meetings we officially formed a new group called The Diversity and Inclusion Recognition Task Force. Our goal and mission is simple. First, to listen and be a forum where all ethnic backgrounds, races, religions and LGBTQ groups ...can be heard by community leaders. To keep an open mind and have the hard dialogue that ultimately leads to mutual understanding that bridges any gaps between these groups, police, government and church. Second, to work together as one to bring equality and justice to our diverse citizens. Third, facilitate these forums and follow through with a plan of action. Lastly, and most importantly, all who come must be willing to identify their own personal and organizational implicit and explicit biases, and be willing to effectuate change. The Mayor and your Police Chief can assure you that we will not tolerate racism, inequality or injustice and will continually strive to serve all of the many diverse citizens of the Canonsburg Community. For further detail call the Mayor’s Office at 724-745-1800 ext. 516 Mayor David H. Rhome

It' s that time of the year again, but just a little late due to the Corona Virus shut down. Be prepared to navigate in and around road construction over the next two weeks. The good news is it's all part of an infrastructure upgrade(s): Below is a listing of the streets that will be under construction: 1. Craighead St. 2. Perry Como... 3. Second Street 4. Fifth St. 5. Alpine 6. Woodland 7. Parkland 8. Marple 9. Pike and Central Please be patient. We appreciate your patience.

We are excited to announce that our department was the recipient of $6,400 grant from Noble Environmental to purchase a new rifle rated ballistic shield. Noble Environmental gave away $50,000 in Green Gifts throughout Western Pa. for the following categories: Human, Social, Economic and Environmental. This is done in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Over the last few years, given the increase in call volume related to firearms incidents we embarked on a pla...n to outfit every police car with a ballistic shield. This affords officers greater protection than the body worn armor they currently wear. These shields are extremely expensive and this gift will certainly save the Canonsburg Taxpayers money. Noble Environmental is an environmental services company providing innovative technologies and practices to solid waste management, transforming waste to renewable natural gas that powers trash hauling vehicles in partnership with Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill and County Hauling. Noble Environmental supports projects in our community that are focused on sustainability. On behalf of the Canonsburg Police Department, Mayor and Canonsburg Council we wish to express our sincere gratitude to Noble Environmental for recognizing the needs of our officers.

I feel I should reach out to our residents because so many of you were alarmed or concerned as you saw police cars with lights and sirens and the SWAT Team in your neighborhoods. This morning we received a tip from South Carolina Authorities that a possible homicide suspect was in the Canonsburg Area and traveling in a stolen vehcle. Because of some great investigative work on the part of our officers we were able to get a location on the suspect. We found him and another i...n the stolen vehicle.. Our officers attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle fled. The chase led us throughout the eastern part of the borough and well into Pittsburgh before the suspect(s) were apprehended. The main thing is nobody was hurt and a suspected murderer is off the streets.. Several of our surrounding police departments ( Washington County SWAT Team, Cecil Twp., North Strabane Twp, Houston Boro, Pa. State Police Greentree Boro, Collier Twp., Allegheny County Sheriffs, and Pittsburgh Police) assisted us. When a serious incident happens we all rely heavily on one another. When you see a police officer thank them because not one officer thought twice about jumping into action, knowing they put themselves at risk during this Coronavirus Crisis. That's the level of dedication you will see not only from your police officers, but also firefighters and Emergency Medical Responders.

I wanted to take a moment and thank all of our Canonsburg residents. You have been a model for other communities during this extremely tough time. We all in one form or another have to endure the hardships and lifestyle changes of this quarantine. As I frequent local restaurants (take out) and other businesses, they're all reporting they're busier than expected, and the customers have been extremely generous and friendly. Please continue to support the businesses that are ope...n and don't forget about those who are out of work, and may be going through tough financial times. Look after your neighbors, and give what you can to those in need. Your police department and local elected officials have been extremely busy and are working diligently to ensure your safety, quality of life and the quality of all of our services. Though hampered in many ways by this crisis, I want to tell you that you should be proud of your police department, mayor, borough council, borough manager, fire department, public works department, EMS, and the staff in the front office. Though you may not see them, I can ensure you that they are all working hard. Chief

As many of you already know the Mayor and Canonsburg Council declared an emergency at last nights emergency meeting. This means that the borough offices will remain closed to the general public. The offices will take phone calls and there will be drop boxes to pay your bills. As for your police department we want to assure all our residents and support staff that we are operating at full strength. Our morale is high. We will be answering all emergency calls that threaten your... safety, life or property. Aside from the many internal policies we have instituted to help ensure our officers aren't exposed to the Corona Virus, we want you to know that all of our non-emergency calls will be handled by phone. Call 911 as usual to initiate police service, or you can click on our link (below or on the borough web site) and generate a non-emergency on line complaint. If you come down to the borough building for police service then you will need to press the call button on the call box in the elevator lobby. In these trying times look out for your neighbor. Many will be struggling to put food on their table as their jobs become affected by the economic fallout. Support your local businesses to ensure that they will still be here after this crisis, and if you can afford it tip your servers when taking out your food at the local restaurant. I saw first hand the generosity and the spirit of the Canonsburg Community when we lost Officer Bashioum. This new crisis will require us to come together in the same manner. Chief of Police

Great job by Officer Dennis Cole! We always consider it a pleasure anytime we can spend time in the schools with the kids.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! This is a picture of Joshua "JJ" Harsh. He's 15 years old and was last seen in school yesterday at the Canon McMillan High School. He failed to return home after school. Joshua is 15 years old and 6"3" and a 190lbs.. He was last seen wearing black sweat pants, dark hoodie and was carrying a gray back pack. If you know of Josh's whereabouts please contact 911 to ensure a prompt police response.

We just want to tell everyone that there is a new variation of an old scam going around. On at least two instances over the past week we have had residents (in and outside of Canonsburg) who received phone calls where their digital display read, "Canonsburg Police." The spoofed phone number is close to the police station number but is not exact. If you don't know what you're looking for then this can seem very legitimate. The caller informs the potential victim that there is ...a warrant for them and the victim must send money. Police departments NEVER ask for money to settle a warrant. If you feel you want to take it one step further ask the caller to give you a case or docket number and call our department at 724.745.8020. Afterward please make a report by calling 911 or by going to our non-emergency online complaint. You will find a link here on our facebook page or on the Canonsburg Borough web page.

ALERT! Last night we had two suspicious incidents in the borough. Between 8:15 PM and 9:30 PM. One resident reported that there were two males on her front porch trying the front doorknob A second resident reported there was one male on her front porch who also tried her front doorknob.Clothing seems to be tan pants and dark jacket. No other description is available. This occurred in the area of E. Pike Street and Smithfield Streets between Greenside Ave. and. Ashland Ave. O...fficers searched the area but did not find anyone. We don't know what their intent or motive was. We are asking everyone to please take extra precautions and don't hesitate to call 911 if you see anything suspicious.