Latest news with #EriePoliceDepartment
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Police warn of new deadly additive found in street drugs
(WHTM) — Police are warning the public about a deadly new additive being found in street drugs. The new chemical, called 'Tinuvin 7-70', is being used as a cutting agent in fentanyl. It is an industrial-grade corrosive used as a protective coating on plastic that is cheap to obtain. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now What makes Tinuvin 7-70 dangerous is its ability to weaken the effectiveness of Narcan, which reverses overdoses, police said. Erie Police Department Rick Lorah said, 'Fentanyl is an already dangerous drug. These additives, these cutting agents that they're putting into it, are making an extremely deadly drug even more deadly and come with a lot of long-term health concerns.' The chemical can also cause vision loss and infertility, among various other side effects. These tainted street drugs are reportedly coming from the southern border. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Erie Police Dept.'s K-9 unit officially sworn in, begin patrol duties
The Erie Police Department's K-9 unit is seeing new life after more than 10 years. Three police dogs and their handlers are ready to hit the streets. Erie County rolling out new RX discount program for all residents 'The canines here, they're a force multiplier and are very good to have on scene. Regardless of whether they're out or not, their presence is very important,' said Brock Grice, patrolman and K-9 handler with the Erie Police Department. Patrol officers and the three dogs, named Atlas, Bo and Deacon, just finished a five-week training course in Warren, Ohio. There, they were drilled on things like tracking down suspects, personal items, guns, drugs and explosives. 'They're going to help make the streets safer. There has been numerous times where maybe a foot pursuit happened, and maybe a gun was tossed. We need to be able to find it. These dogs can do that on a level that a human could never. Quickly finding dangerous articles so it doesn't get into the hands of say, a kid,' said Dan Potts, patrolman and K-9 handler with the Erie Police Department. A dog and their handler will be on duty all three shifts of the day, with one on each shift. The dogs are trained to recognize certain gestures and commands, which, when spoken, are in Dutch. So, with these dogs now in service, what does the public need to know when it comes to interacting with them? 'We're all dog lovers and we understand that draw to really come up and pet them. These just aren't the dogs for that. As you can see, he's pretty mild-mannered, but they know when to work,' said Arthur Rhoades, patrolman and K-9 handler with the Erie Police Department. Merski bill to help fight municipal blight passes PA House Even off the clock, there's a lot of training and bonding with their handlers necessary to keep the unit sharp. And if funding for the unit isn't a concern, thanks to state grants, EPD would like to further expand it. 'It would be great to get three more dogs. We have three right now, three more dogs would be perfect. Eventually, maybe even nine dogs. If we could get two dogs on each shift, that would be perfect,' said Curtis Waite, sergeant of the EPD K-9 unit. The unit is already seeing usage as the dogs were called in to clear the Erie Fire Department and the surrounding area of explosives ahead of Governor Josh Shapiro's visit to Erie last week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Joining forces — Lawrence Park, Wesleyville explore police merger
Wesleyville and Lawrence Park Police Departments have been serving East Erie County for over a hundred years, but the two departments could look a little different in the coming months. On Tuesday evening, the two municipalities released a joint statement saying they are exploring plans to potentially combine the police departments under the name East County Regional Police Department. 'There is a lot of opportunity in doing this for saving money, and for getting strength in numbers between the two departments, and really shoring up the financial situation for both municipalities heading into the future,' said Marcus Jacobs, Wesleyville Borough manager. Jacobs said the municipalities recently requested and received a 'police organization study' from the state, which offers feedback for reorganization based on the experiences of other police departments in the commonwealth. Erie Police Department trains new K-9 unit 'The state is certainly encouraging us to do this because there are dozens and dozens and dozens of examples all across the state of communities doing this very thing, both with their police departments and fire departments. We're the first one in Erie County looking at this, but there is a lot for us to gain from moving forward,' said Jacobs. On Monday night, Wesleyville and Lawrence Park officials met to discuss the findings of that study and create a 'joint steering committee' to guide the possible formation of a combined police department. Nothing is set in stone quite yet with the merger between the two police stations, but one officer said her station is quite excited about the opportunity. 'I'm excited for it. I think that it will be good for both departments. We work closely together anyway, so I just think that it will help us to grow in the future,' said Emma Maille, patrol officer with the Wesleyville Police Department. Man leads police on motorcycle chase, tased before arrest: Titusville PD The two stations are located under a mile from one another, with only a five-minute drive separating them. Jacobs said the state study is only the early framework for the merger, and going forward, Lawrence Park and Wesleyville officials are asking the community for their input. The merger is still far from a done deal. If you would like to read the full Regional Police Study, you can do so here. If you would like to give feedback regarding the police merger, you can fill out a form here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LGL: Erie Police Athletic League
Dozens of Erie youth are about to have a great time thanks to the Erie Police Athletic League and JET-24's Loving Giving Local. The league was the recipient of this week's LGL donation of $250 from Auto Express Resale Center. Erie's PAL began in 2016 after a 40-year hiatus. Its rebirth began with two police officers, working with 35 students at one location. Now the program has 120 officers from 10 law enforcement agencies, reaching 1,700 students in 28 schools and community centers. According to PAL Executive Director Lt. Tom Lennox of the Erie Police Department, there are many summer-time activities for youth. 'We do six camps throughout the summer. Gannon University, we have two camps at Mercyhurst University. We've got the police academy, we've got Dicks camp, we've got a camp over at the Erie Boys and Girls Club,' Lenox said. 'we also wrestle and box throughout the whole year, all year round. we're also hooked up with Mel Witherspoon's league for basketball come summer, and we're going to get youth baseball started up again,' he added. PAL's mission is to strengthen bonds between officers and Erie's youth, help develop mutual respect, reduce crime, and build character. 'With over one thousand seven hundred kids involved, it's a lot of families. but it also gives kids a chance to meet police officers outside of their regular work,' emphasized Chief Dan Spizarny, Erie Police Department. During the school year, the league takes young people on two or three field trips every month. And that's how this week's Loving Giving Local donation will be used, according to Lenox. 'We're taking four charter buses down to Pittsburgh Science Center this month. In addition, we're going on a tour of PNC Park while we're down there. Then we're going to take the kids fishing at Pymatuning on the way home,' Lenox said. 'Just to see the police officers be able to bond with youth in the community, that's what Loving Giving Local is all about. For us to be able to deliver a donation puts a big smile on my face,' Joe Askins of Auto Express Resale Center said. To learn more about the PAL and how to get involved, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Erie police announce return of K-9 unit
After more than a decade, the Erie Police Department is bringing back their K-9 officer unit. Three officers and their canine partners are currently training with Tri-State Canine in Warren, Ohio and will be done in mid-April. Depot Rd. improvement project to resume this month, expect detours All three Belgian malinois, which are each about a year old, are dual-purpose. Their primary use will be as patrol tactics dogs, where they'll be able to track and conduct article searches. Additionally, two of the dogs will be trained in narcotics detection while another will be able to detect explosives. Erie woman makes 45-mile run from state line to state line 'That will greatly enhance assisting officers on several calls regarding anything to do with narcotics, article searches, helping out in the schools, we're on several task forces, and being called out not only by our officers here in the City of Erie but by other agencies and assisting them,' said William Marucci, deputy chief of the Erie Police Department. 'They started today, go to April 18th for five weeks of training,' said Curtis Waite, sergeant of the K-9 unit. 'That week of April 21st is officially when they're certified and able to go out on the street.' Funding for the unit was supported by a state grant, which paid for new vehicles, equipment, training, and the dogs themselves. Once in service, the K-9s are expected to be on the streets for some six to eight years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
