Jefferson Hills Police From the Desk of Police Chief Gene Roach
IF YOU ARE STOPPED BY THE POLICE IN YOUR CAR
Gill Hall Fire Department Wins Federal Grants for New Fire Truck and Turnout Gear
est Jefferson Hills BOROUGH OF JEFFERSON HILLS NEWS
Jefferson Hills Police From the Desk of Police Chief Gene Roach
The Allegheny County Police Chief’ s Association, along with other Government agencies and communities, has put together a brochure that explains what rights you have, things you should remember and what you can expect when a police officer asks you questions. To read the entire brochure, log on to alleghenycountychiefs. com. The following is the section of the brochure that explains what to do if you are stopped by the police in your car.
IF YOU ARE STOPPED BY THE POLICE IN YOUR CAR
While you are driving a car, if a police officer has reasonable suspicion or probable cause to believe that a violation of the Vehicle Code has been committed or a crime has occurred, you may be pulled over. You will probably be asked to show your driver’ s license, the registration to the vehicle, and proof that the vehicle is insured. You must comply with these requests. The best thing to do in this situation is to pull over, stay cool and calm and remain in your car, unless told to do otherwise by the police officer( s). If you are stopped at night, turn on your dome light and show the officer that there is nothing wrong, or any reason to fear for his or her safety. It is best not to make any sudden movement or do anything that would give the officer a reason to search further. Having your light on and keeping your hands on the steering wheel will usually put the officer ' s mind at ease. Remember the officer cannot read your mind, he or she does not know if you ' re a law-abiding citizen or a criminal, and unfortunately for his or her safety, must assume the worst case scenario at first. Only, when you are asked for your ID, should you go about getting it.
At this point, you may start to explain or question what you were doing that caused you to get stopped, but that is as far as you should take it. There is a chance that the officer will write you a ticket or warning notice for a traffic violation. When the officer asks you to sign the ticket or warning notice, it is not an admission of guilt, you are simply acknowledging that you received it. If you refuse to sign, the officer will still issue the ticket but will mark it " Refused." The officer may legally start to check your car for equipment code violations under the vehicle code. Be careful about how you protest. This is not the place to argue your case. If you feel that you are getting a ticket for something you didn ' t do or for something that is not fair, you should take your protest to court and explain your case to the Judge. Just because the officer gives you a ticket, does not automatically mean that you are guilty, or will be found guilty, or that you will have to pay a fine. Remember, in America, you are innocent until proven guilty. You have the right to go to Court and to have the Judge hear your explanation, and if you don ' t agree with the Judge ' s decision, you can appeal.
40 West Jefferson Hills
Gill Hall Fire Department Wins Federal Grants for New Fire Truck and Turnout Gear
Congratulations to Gill Hall VFD for being the recent recipient of two grant awards from the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Program. One of the awards of $ 397,000 will replace the Department ' s 33 year old engine. The other award of $ 26,000 will replace ten sets of structural firefighting turnout gear.
Congressman Tim Murphy, State Senator Guy Reschenthaler and PA Rep. Rick Saccone talk to members and families of Gill Hall about the grant.
The FEMA award will replace the Department ' s 33 year old engine with a new, NFPA approved apparatus. Of the over 12,000 applications, roughly 25 % are awarded and only 5 % is allocated for vehicles. That estimates to roughly only 230 vehicle awards nationally, making this one of the most difficult awards to obtain. The Fire Company is meeting with apparatus manufacturers to determine who will design and build the truck. Delivery is expected in 12 months.
“ IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TAXPAYERS TO KNOW THAT THIS IS THEIR TAX MONEY COMING HOME”
On October 8, at the Borough’ s Fall Festival, Congressman Tim Murphy, accompanied by PA State Representative Rick Saccone and PA Senator Guy Reschenthaler, awarded the check to members of Gill Hall VFD.“ It is rare that a Volunteer Fire Company gets a truck, but we know that because they are near highways, rivers and rail lines, they have to be prepared and well supplied,” said Congressman Murphy.
Congressman Murphy commented on the high cost of running a fire company.“ It is very expensive to run a fire company, and it is important to the taxpayers to know that this is their tax money coming home,” he said.
“ The members and officers of Gill Hall VFC would like to thank Congressman Tim Murphy for his support as well as the AFG( Assistance to Firefighters Grant) Program for making these grant opportunities possible,” said Gill Hall Fire Chief Adam Galis.
The latest grants brings the total amount of grant awards to Gill Hall VFD in the past 5 years to $ 703,000.
Standing 1st row l-r: Sherry McWilson, Mark Breier, Joe Floriolli Sr., Congressman Tim Murphy, Kevin Christofel, Michael Thatcher, Patty Felix 2nd row Jarrett Floriolli, Calvin Felix.