Department

commended

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has commended the Coplay Police Department for consistently filing timely police reports to the Victims Compensation Assistance Program.

Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin wrote a letter to Coplay police saying it was one of only 269 departments in the state to be commended.

"Your department's conscientious effort again this year to do so has assisted victims who are suffering the emotional and physical aftermath of crimes committed on them," says Martin's letter. "Placing the plight of crime victims in your jurisdiction as a top priority is helpful to PCCD and the victims."

Police Chief Vincent Genovese read the letter at the May 7 council workshop meeting.

Fire reported

Coplay Police were dispatched May 10, to the American Club of Coplay Pavilion for a report that three juveniles started a fire.

Police said the juveniles ran toward the Lehigh River. Police later searched the area, including the borough parkway pavilion, but could not locate them, police said.

Further investigation revealed the person who reported the incident was located on the Ironton Rail-Trail near the Hokendauqua American Legion.

The fire was extinguished before police arrived. There was no report of damage.

Argument in street

Police on May 6 responded to a report of approximately eight people arguing in the street in the unit block of South Front Street.

On arriving at the scene, the area was clear. Police learned the problem was the result of an earlier incident in the North Front Street area.

Police said the individuals who had been arguing left before police arrived.

Vehicles collide

A motor vehicle accident on May 6 brought police to Chestnut and Cherry streets.

William Gunkle III, of Coplay, was driving a Chevrolet pickup truck and crossed Chestnut Street from Pink Alley when his vehicle was struck by a Pontiac Grand Am driven by Tracy Hammerly of Catasauqua.

Hammerly said she stopped at the stop sign and was distracted, failing to see Gunkle's vehicle crossing Chestnut Street, police said.

Hammerly said as she began to turn left onto Chestnut Street, her vehicle collided with Gunkle's pickup truck, police said.

Both motorists were able to drive their vehicles from the scene after the accident, police said.