Mentzer Honored

Chief of Police, Jack Mentzer (center) is honored by the Pennsylvania Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Pictured above with Mentzer are David Cavanaugh, Commander of Fred Barley Post No. 5667 (left) and District 9 Commander Richard Adams (right).

Police Chief Jack Mentzer received one of the highest honors in public service when he was named the recipient of the John A. Radko Award for Law Enforcement of the Year for 2006-07.  The award recognizes officers who adhere to "the highest ideals of law inforcement in maintaining, perserving and protecting the lawful rights of all citizens."

In 1986 Chief Mentzer enlisted in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and in his 21 years of service has served in many deployments, including Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom before he retired from the Guard in 2006  as a Senior Master Sergeant.

Officer of the Year

Corporal Gordon Berlin is congratulated by Mayor Robert Brain and Chief of Police Jack Mentzer for receiving the 2007 Officer of the Year Award from his fellow officers.

Corporal Gordon Berlin was selected as the 2007 Officer of the Year.  This is an annual award and the recipient is determined by votes cast by fellow officers.  The Officer of the Year program started in 2002. Berlin received the award at the February 2008 Borough Council meeting. 

Corporal Berlin serves as the computer technician for the police department, dealing with computer issues and upgrades.   He is certified to maintain the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN) systems for the department.  Corporal Berlin’s interest in this technology has led him to obtain specialized training in computer and internet crimes.  He is currently pursuing certification as a Master Trainer for the Protecting Kids Online Program with the Center for Safe Schools.

Officer of the Year Award Winners:

  • 2002 - David E. Pickel, Jr.
  • 2003 - Michael S. Lyons, Sr.
  • 2004 - Stephen L. Roberts
  • 2005 - Steven R. Barbour
  • 2006 - Shane M. Deardorff
  • 2007 - Gordon J. Berlin

Alcoholic Beverages

The consumption or possession of an open bottle, can, flask, cup or other container containing an alcoholic beverage is prohibited on a sidewalk, street, alley or any public parking lot. Click here to view the ordinance.

Animal Defecation

If a dog or other animal defecates on any public property or private property not owned by the animal owner or person in possession of the animal, the owner or person in possession of the animal must immediately remove any feces from the area and properly dispose of it. Click here to view the ordinance.

wpe2.jpg (9407 bytes) Bicycle Registrations

The police are encouraging residents to register their bicycles. The department handles dozens of found bicycles each year, many of which had been previously stolen and were not reported to the police. It is extremely difficult and many times impossible for the police to locate the owners of these unlicensed bicycles. The police department donates these unclaimed bicycles to the Lancaster Boys and Girls Club for distribution to deserving children. Bicycle licenses can be purchased at the police department between 7:30 am and 3:30 pm for $1.00 and are good as long as the registered owner owns the bike. Click here for the registration form.

Burglar and Fire Alarms

The police department responds to dozens of alarms each year. A vast majority of these are false alarms. The Borough charges for redundant responses of police resources to false alarms. Residential and business alarm responses are tracked by the police department. Each resident and business gets three (3) free "false alarm" responses annually. The fourth (4th) is $25, fifth (5th) $50 and the sixth (6th) and each subsequent false alarm response is $100 per calendar year. Click here to view the ordinance.

Dogs

The Borough has a contract with the Humane League and O.R.C.A. to pick up and house dogs that are picked up in Elizabethtown. The Borough is charged an annual flat fee, a per dog pick up fee, plus housing and mileage expenses. In 2007, Elizabethtown Borough charges the owner or responsible person a flat fee of $150 per dog, per pick up.

If you believe your dog has been picked up or you find a stray dog, contact O.R.C.A. at (717) 397-8922. O.R.C.A. will not pick up unconfined dogs. Click here to view the ordinance.

Fingerprinting

All non-criminal fingerprinting is done by appointment. The Elizabethtown Police will fingerprint any Borough resident free of charge. Non-Borough residents are charged five ($5) dollars. Citizens are reminded to bring photo identification and to complete all information on the fingerprint cards prior to the appointment.

Gun Locks Available to Residents wpe3.jpg (6115 bytes)

The police department offers free gun lock kits to Borough residents. The kits are part of the Project ChildSafe program. The kits include a cable-style gun locking device, lock installment instructions and a safety booklet. Interested residents are encouraged to pick up their gun lock kits at the police department during normal business hours between 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Noise Nuisance

Between the hours of 9 PM - 7 AM, sound that causes a noise disturbance across a property line (boundary) is prohibited. Click here to view the ordinance.

Outdoor Burning

Outdoor burning of any trash, refuse or leaves is prohibited. Click here to view the ordinance.

Park Regulations

Hours of operation are 7 AM - 10:30 PM. No person is permitted in the park when it is closed. Alcoholic beverages, practicing golf, motor vehicles or any animal (seeing eye dogs exempted) are prohibited from being in the park at any time. Click here to view the ordinance.

Use of Skateboards

The use of roller skates, street bikes, skateboards and scooters are covered in this ordinance.  Where are you able to ride?  To find out click here to view the ordinance.

Transient Retail Business

A permit is needed for any door-to-door sales, there are some exceptions for certain groups (see ordinance).

There is a $15 fee for the permit processing and an additional $10 fee for a background check, or in lieu of the $10 background check fee, the applicant can be responsible for getting their own background check through the Pennsylvania State Police. In all cases, the applicant must show proof that a background check was completed prior to the permit being issued. Click here to view the ordinance.

Vehicle Parking

Commercial, Recreational and Non-motorized Vehicle Parking Restrictions:

Parking of any vehicle on any parking lot owned, operated or managed by the Borough, or on any Borough street, for a continuous period of time greater than 72 hours is prohibited.

Commercial, recreational and non-motorized vehicles have additional restrictions. Commercial and recreational vehicles are restricted from parking on any street, highway or alley between 12:01 AM and 6:00 AM. Non-motorized vehicles (unattached trailers) are restricted to being parked for no more than 2 consecutive hours on any street, highway or alley. Click here to view the ordinance.

Other Links

You can find other helpful links by logging onto the Pennsylvania State Police website at http://www.psp.state.pa.us/ .