The South Whitehall Police Department held its annual Summer Youth Camp at police headquarters, 4444 Walbert Ave., Aug. 10-15.
On Aug. 14, the Lehigh County Municipal Response Team armored vehicle known as the “Beast” was on display for the campers to explore.
Under the guidance of SWTPD Sgt. Eric Kleintop, the campers learned the “Beast” is strictly a defensive unit providing protection for responding team members.
The heavy armored unit seats up to 10 officers as well as the driver and front seat officer in charge.
The windows are bullet proof providing protection for the crew.
SWTPD Officer Kory Lopata described and demonstrated a bean bag shotgun that fires a soft bean bag for a less than lethal response to an encounter with an individual who is not responding to police commands.
The bean bag was recovered, then passed around so the campers could feel the softness of the bag.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELANDSouth Whitehall Township Police Officer Kory Lopata prepares to demonstrate the less-than-lethal tool used to subdue resistant suspects during the police department’s annual youth camp held at police headquarters, 4444 Walbert Ave., Aug. 10-15. It is a Remington shotgun designed to shoot a bean bag cartridge, held in Lopata’s right hand.
ABOVE: Youth campers, John Rasmussen, Habib Mugal, Daxton Allen, Dillon Ganley and Rocco Rodrigues examine a bean bag that’s been fired from a specialized Remington shotgun and is used to subdue combative suspects at the South Whitehall Township Police Department annual youth camp.
Youth campers, Rocco Rodrigues, Habib Mugal and Iain Gonzalez inspect the interior of the Lehigh County M.E.R.T. vehicle “The Beast” at the South Whitehall Township Police Department‘s annual youth camp held at police headquarters Aug. 10-15.
South Whitehall Township Police Sgt. Eric Kleintop describes the function of a tear gas launcher during the police department’s annual youth camp held at police headquarters. Officer Kory Lopata holds a tear gas canister that would be fired from the launcher.
LEFT: South Whitehall Township Police Officer Kory Lopata fires a beanbag cartridge during the annual youth camp held at police headquarters, 4444 Walbert Ave., Aug. 10-15.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELANDYouth who attended the South Whitehall Township Police Department Summer Camp (in no particular order) include: Charlie Schiavi, Christy Ezeji, Daxton Allen, Deagan Allen, Dillon Ganley, GG Kelly, Gracelyn Moyer, Habib Mughal, Iain Gonzalez, Ishaan Bendigeri, Jake Ganey, Jameson Kleibscheidel, John Rasmussen, Luke Serrao, Luke Rasmussen, Madison Mosser, Mason Melcher, Matthew Hochmiller, Maximus Juskowiak, Maxwell Amato, Michael Ponce-Soto, Nicole Zheng, Nixson Stalsitz, Otto Hutter, Owen Perez, Princeton Rich, Quincy Rauch-Mannino (not pictured), Rocco Rodrigues, Sahej Sembhi, Sebastian Wilson, Valentina Rodrigues, Victor Muchendu and William Lawler. South Whitehall Police Officers include: Officer Amanda Sariego, Chief Frank Lombardo, Officer Kevin Azar, Capt. Stephen Brown, Sgt. Jason Grozier, Lt. Eric Kleintop, Officers Kory Lopata, Tyler Bachman and Thomas Bammer.
South Whitehall Township Police Sgt. Eric Kleintop, seen here at police headquarters, describes the use of Lehigh County’s Municipal Response Team (M.E.R.T.) vehicle, dispatched as the “Beast” to campers at the police department’s annual youth camp. Officers Kory Lopata and Amanda Sariego are also seen in the photo.
