Latest news with #WyomingAreaRegionalPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Police chief backs regionalization for departments
LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The possibility of another regional police department in our area is coming soon. The Wyoming Area Regional Police Chief is in full support of regionalization for other departments looking to make the change. He says it creates a more efficient, effective, and resourceful police force; one he now leads. Rain Rally raises money for Special Olympics Chief Michael Turner is still finding ways to utilize all the space in his police department. In the basement are rooms with resources he's never had before in a police station. Upstairs, most of his leadership team even have their own offices. 'It is the best thing that has happened in this area by far.' That 'best thing' happened in 2023, that's when the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department formed, combining five individual police departments -Exeter Township, Exeter Borough, West Pittston, West Wyoming, and Wyoming Borough. Chief Turner says it's provided a stronger foundation for his guys and the nearly 20,000 residents they serve. The regional department is now stacked with 19 officers who are equipped with more tools, assigned to specific areas of crime, and designated to serve in specific zoning areas across 37 square miles. 'It's a no-brainer. The end game is to provide the best services you can to your community. The best thing to see is when departments work together.' Some reports indicate Edwardsville Borough Police and Larksville Police Department could be coming together in the near future, and Chief Turner gives the idea the thumbs up. But with change comes challenge, and Chief Turner says staying within the budget is the toughest challenge. 'There are challenges with everything, but we spend on what we need, not what we want'. Five stars for five communities, green and gold to represent a local school district, and the Water Street Bridge make up the patch ironed on Chief Turner's sleeve. A reminder of the new commitment to service. 'Regionalize, it's the answer to law enforcement.' We reached out to both Edwardsville and Larksville police departments, who told us the regionalization plan is in the early stages and couldn't release details. Chief Turner says after securing more funding, he purchased body cameras, dash cameras, stun guns, and new vehicles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Retired clergyman pleads guilty to online child solicitation charge
Apr. 11—WILKES-BARRE — A man from Moosic arrested by Kingston Township police and the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department in an online child solicitation sting pled guilty to a related charge in Luzerne County Court on Friday. Robert John Morgan, 76, of Third Street, a retired reverend at the Moosic Assembly of God, pled guilty to unlawful contact with a minor before Judge Michael T. Vough. Prosecutors withdrew charges of criminal attempt to commit statutory sexual assault and criminal use of communication facility against Morgan in a plea agreement. The plea agreement calls for Morgan to register his address for 25 years under the state's Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act. Police charged Morgan on Sept. 10 after a series of online communications with undercover officers acting as a child. During the online communications that began Sept. 5, Morgan solicited to perform sexual acts and requested nude pictures from the child, according to court records. When arrangements were made to meet at a location, Morgan was arrested when he arrived and was allegedly in possession of condoms, court records say. Morgan was dismissed from the Moosic church after his arrest. Vough scheduled Morgan's sentencing hearing for July 7. Morgan remains free on $50,000 bail.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
Police looking for two men in shots fired investigation
WEST WYOMING, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Police are looking for two men in connection with a report of shots fired Saturday morning. Wyoming Area Regional Police Department are looking for two men in connection with shots fired at the intersection of Holden and Gregory Streets just after midnight. Spanish teacher and husband arrested in crack bust Chief Michael Turner states that a vehicle was pulled over on West 8th Street shortly after, but the two men fled on foot into the surrounding woods. A preliminary investigation shows that a weapon was discharged in the area of Holden and Gregory Streets, according to Chief Turner. Wyoming Area Regional Police Department states it is still an active investigation, but is asking residents in that area to look through security camera footage between 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. for any suspicious men. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Church donation scam hits local community
LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Just in time for the beginning of the Lenten season, scammers are preying on local parishioners. A local monsignor says dozens of people have called into his parish saying they have received a concerning text message. Florida man charged in $56,000 tent scam Monsignor John Sempa of Corpus Christi Parish in West Pittston wants people to know he is not the one behind the text messages, asking for solicitations. Nearly 50 people have called him saying they were sent a text message asking to donate funds to people in need or for one victim that they needed to text him asap. 'Hello Dion, I need a favor, I am meeting with some family members, please text me back as soon as you get this, Pastor John Sempa,' read Dion Fernandes of Hughestown. That was the text message from an 814 area code that Dion Fernandes received on tuesday morning. Monsignor John Sempa says he never sent such a thing to Fernandes, or any other of the nearly 50 people who say they have received similar text messages saying Monsignor Sempa was asking for solicitations. 'Gift cards, money, people really wondering if this is true, is Monsignor Sempa is okay, what's going on,' said Father Michael Drevitch, Corpus Christi Parish. 'I don't ask for money via text message via email. I don't do that,' stated Monsignor John Sempa, Corpus Christi Parish. Monsignor Sempa says the parish's phone has been ringing off the hook since the scam began. Fernandes is a member of the Corpus Christi Parish and so are the majority of the other people receiving the scheming text. One of the victims called police and now the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department is investigating. 'It definitely is a scam, and anyone who knows Monsignor Sempa knows he wouldn't solicit for any type of donations,' added Chief Michael Turner, Wyoming Area Regional Police Department. Chief Turner and Father Drevitch believe the scammers are targeting a specific group within the church. 'In my opinion, this has come from our ministry schedule, which is our eucharistic ministers, our alter servers and our lectors. On the last page of that is everyone's name, email address and phone number,' voiced Drevitch. 'There are very wonderful wonderful people in the parish so you don't like to see those people taken advantage of or anyone that's pretty hurtful,' said Sempa. Fernandes says it's sad the scammers are hoping to rip off people who share a faith and are committed to serving others. 'That's kind of like the lowest of lows when they are trying to take advantage of church stuff that's pretty bad,' stated Fernandes. Chief Turner says there's now an investigation. He warns people who receive a text message like these ones to call your local police department. Father Drevitch says they will look to make the parish ministry schedule more private moving forward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
