Forks Police Issue 2010 Reports

Forks Township Police Chief Gregory Dorney says he is pleased with his officers performance in 2010.

“I believe they realize the work they do is at times difficult and unappreciated, yet they remain constantly vigilant in their duties and responsibilities to serve this community,” he said in his report.  

In January, Dorney submitted his 2010 Year End report to Forks Township Board of Supervisors. According to the report, the 23 officer, one civilian department headed up 158 criminal investigations in 2010. Of those investigations, 38 cases were cleared by arrest, 30 cases were solved or no arrest was made and 15 search warrants were executed during the investigations process. 

The municipality had 218 vehicle crashes in 2010, four severe crashes with detailed investigations and one fatality reported.

The victim in that fatal crash was East Norriton Police Chief John McGowan.

McGowan, 58, was fatally injured in a motorcycle crash on June 18. According to reports, he was injured just before 3 pm on the 2600 block of North Delaware Drive. Reports said McGowan, who was on his motorcycle at the time, and another vehicle were on Route 611 when the crash occurred. The car was stopped in the northbound lane, waiting to make a left turn, when it was struck from behind by McGowan’s motorcycle. He was taken to Easton Hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival.

The department also has a bicycle patrol unit. Started in 1993, the unit today has seven officers and four bicycles.

The K-9 Unit, including 8 year old German Shepherd, Sunny, saw 231 calls last year with 10 resulting in arrests.

Newly added to the police force in 2010 was the Motorcycle Patrol Unit who now has two Harley Davidson vehicles. 

The department also has a Summer Youth Police Academy who included 25 youths from age 11 to 14.

The municipality’s Seat Belt Compliance program, or “Click it or Ticket” program stopped 121 vehicles in 2010. Those stops resulted in 14 seat belt violations, 32 speeding violations, 31 “other” moving violations, and 59 total “other” violations on the days conducted.

“We are pleased with the accomplishments of our department over the past year and we look forward to another productive year in 2011.”