July 16, 2008

OPERATION OUR TOWN AWARDS GRANTS TO FIGHT DRUG USE AND RELATED CRIME
Operation Our Town has announced the awarding of $100,000 in grants for local drug prevention and treatment projects aimed at reducing illegal drug use and
related crime in Blair County.

Operation Our Town awards grants twice a year to support targeted law enforcement and prosecution, as well as proven prevention and treatment programs, to
fight illegal drugs in the communities of Blair and adjoining counties.

In its first grant cycle of 2008, Operation Our Town has awarded 10 grants totaling $100,000. In 2007, Operation Our Town awarded more than $300,000 in
grants for drug law enforcement and for treatment and prevention programs.

Operation Our Town will begin accepting applications on Sept. 1 for its second grant cycle of the year, with an Oct. 15 deadline for applications. Another
$100,000 will be available for proven prevention and treatment programs. All nonprofit organizations, schools and government agencies are eligible.

The Operation Our Town Grant Committee includes five members: Donna Gority, Blair County Commissioner; Tommi Burchfield, former director of United Way of
Blair County; Judy Rosser, Blair County Drug & Alcohol; Jolene Kopriva, president judge, Blair County Court of Common Pleas, and Michele Fiore, mental
health counselor.

Each grant was judged objectively by specific criteria on a scoring process.

Operation Our Town is a partnership between business and the community aimed at taking back our neighborhoods from drugs and related violent crime through
law enforcement and proven treatment and prevention techniques.

Operation Our Town accepts donations from businesses, civic and charitable organizations and individuals, and uses them to fund programs proven to reduce
both the supply and demand for illegal drugs.

OPERATION OUR TOWN SPRING 2008 GRANT RECIPIENTS

Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation: After-school program
5928A Evergreen Court, Altoona, 949-8838
Funding for program supplies and a field trip for enrolled children in the after-school program at Evergreen Manors, which serves at-risk children ages 4-12 and
provides a healthy snack, help with homework, and playtime.

Family Services Inc.: SWOOP (Street Wise Outreach Opportunity Program)
2022 Broad Ave., Altoona, 944-3583
Provide information and outreach to Blair County teens on issues such as housing options, pregnancy prevention, dealing with alcoholic or drug-addicted family
members, and suicide prevention.

Blair Countians for Drug Free Communities/Blair County Youth League: Alternative Activities
423 Allegheny St., Suite 443, Hollidaysburg, 693-3112
One activity in each of the eight school districts in Blair County, such as miniature golf, batting cages, bowling, roller skating, Curve games and Penn State ice
hockey games.

Blair County Adult Parole & Probation: A Framework for Breaking Barriers
423 Allegheny St., Suite 330, Hollidaysburg, 693-3190
Video training series to help clients in the criminal justice system identify behaviors that have kept them in the cycle of criminal activity and reduce the rate of
repeat offenses.

Student Assistance Program (SAP): Summer Outreach Program
P.O. Box 522, Claysburg, 239-5141
Provide healthy community activities to identified at-risk children to build social skills, increase self-esteem and form healthy, age-appropriate peer relationships.

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Community and School-Based Mentoring
891 23rd St., Altoona, 944-6129
Provides activities and mentoring to children who are on the waiting list for a big brother or big sister and enhances the youth’s educational and social skills.

Nehemiah Project: Lower Fairview Before- and After-School Program
800 Valley View Blvd., Altoona, 944-1948
Faith-based organization that will target children ages 6-12 and provide tutoring/homework programs, exercise and nutritious food programs, and group activities
and mentoring.

Salvation Army: The Beacon
1813 6th Ave., Altoona, 942-8104
Faith-based program that seeks to provide an alternative place for youth ages 12-20 in a safe environment with structured activities, where positive adult role
models can build relationships with at-risk youth and encourage them to make beneficial decisions.

Blair County Prison: Gang Intelligence Program
419 Market Street Square, Hollidaysburg, 693-3155
Color printer to print photos of identified gang members and their tattoos to assist local law enforcement and government agencies with investigations.

City of Altoona: Gateway Project
1301 12th St., Suite 100, Altoona, 949-2410
Paint exteriors of properties, repair/replace roofs, install/replace siding, replace downspouts and gutters, repair porches and remove accumulated trash.

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July 3, 2008

GROUPS TO SATURATE COUNTY WITH DRUG HOT LINE NUMBER
Operation Our Town, in cooperation with Push Out the Pusher and Crime Solvers of Blair County, has begun a major countywide campaign to remind people of the Push Out The Pusher phone number and encourage
its use.

WTAJ TV Broadcast - Watch it

The campaign kickoff will take place at the Altoona Curve baseball game at Blair County Ball Park on Friday, July 4. Fans will receive the free signs promoting the Push Out The Pusher (POTP) line as they leave the
park after the fireworks show.

“Our goal is to saturate all communities of Blair County with the message that you can report drug activity by calling 693-3020,” said Randy Feathers of the state attorney general’s office, chairman of the Operation Our
Town Law Enforcement Round Table. “Displaying the signs will show dealers and users that the community stands united against illegal drug activity.”

POTP callers can leave a recorded message or choose to speak with someone to report suspicious activity and/or drug activity in their neighborhoods. All callers can remain anonymous. The hot line has received
thousands of calls since its inception and has contributed to several drug busts throughout Blair County.

Feathers made special mention of the group Blair Countians for Drug Free Communities, whose members’ years ago saw the need for the Push Out The Pusher hot line, found funding for it and implemented it.

Frank Rosenhoover, current chair of Blair Countians for Drug Free Communities, said he welcomes the partnership and the widespread use of the phone line for the betterment of the community.

“We wanted to see the phone number’s use ingrained in the communities of Blair County,” he said, “and this step fulfills our final goal.”
 

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June 16, 2008

Blair DA and Operation Our Town announce ‘Operation Our
Town Spring Cleaning’
Federal, state and local law enforcement officers teamed up to hit the streets of Blair County early this morning with outstanding arrest warrants for approximately 60 people. 

The warrants were for gun and drug violations, resisting arrest, terroristic threats, parole violations and other crimes.  About 55 officers received a briefing, the warrants and detailed intelligence packets at the Frankstown Armory at 7 a.m. today before setting out after the suspects. 

Dubbed “Operation Our Town Spring Cleaning,” this was the first detail to include the newly formed Operation Our Town Warrant Team, comprised of officers from across Blair County.  About 43 officers from the Operation Our Town Warrant Team participated in today’s arrests.  The remaining officers – members of the U.S. Marshal’s Western District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force – were from outside Blair County. 

Approximately 25 State, County and Local police agencies have been sworn in and are now members of the Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force.  The Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force has approximately 135 officers from State, County and local agencies in Western Pennsylvania.  This partnership will allow local law enforcement access to approximately 88 Regional Task Forces and the eight super Regional Task Forces throughout the country.  On May 2nd over 70 Blair County Police officers were sworn in as Special U.S. Marshals.  This special deputation allows members to seek and execute arrest and search warrants supporting the Task Force. 

“The Operation Our Town Warrant Team” along with the Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force, will continue to be a highly visible police presence,” according to Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglio.  “The goal is to serve as many outstanding arrest warrants as possible and make the streets of Blair County safer for law enforcement and the people of the community.”

Agencies involved in today’s operation included the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Altoona Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, , Logan Township Police Department, Blair 911 Center, Blair County Adult Parole and Probation, U.S. Marshal Service, Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, Cambria County Sheriff’s Department and police departments from Allegheny, Blair and Greenfield townships, and the boroughs of Duncansville, Hollidaysburg, Bellwood, Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, Tyrone, Williamsburg and Punxsutawney.

All of the cases involved in today’s operation will be prosecuted by the Blair County District Attorney’s Office.

A list of subjects arrested will be provided at the press conference.

(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty)

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Friday, March 14, 2008

OPERATION OUR TOWN ANNOUNCES FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 
Funding Announcement Title:  Summer 2008
Funding Available:  $100,000 for prevention and treatment.

Grant Cycle:  The grant funding period will be from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.  All funds are required to be expended during this time period.

Operation Our town has established a funding opportunity to support targeted law enforcement and prosecution, prevention programs proven to prevent drug use and treatment programs proven to reduce relapse within the Blair County communities and contingent counties.  The funding opportunity will be made available on a bi-annual cycle.  The following procedure is used to complete this process:

Eligible Applicants:  Non-profit organizations, schools, and government agencies.

Due Date:  One (1) original and eight (8) copies of applications must be electronically submitted or mailed to Operation Our Town by April 18, 2008, 4:00 p.m.  All applications mailed must be postmarked by this date.

Timeline:
Funding application announced:            March 7, 2008
Due Date of applications:                      April 18, 2008, 4:00 p.m.

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Friday, February 15, 2008
Altoona Mirror

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Thursday, February 14, 2008

OPERATION OUR TOWN ANNOUNCES GRANTS, PARTNERSHIP AND SUMMARIZES FIRST-YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Operation Our Town representatives held a news conference this morning to report to the community on the successes of its first year and to announce:

• This year’s grants to local law enforcement
• Grant availability for prevention and treatment
• Support of Booker T. Washington Community Revitalization Project
• Partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police

The news conference followed a Chamber Breakfast Club meeting at The Casino at Lakemont Park during which OOT presented its first annual Community Partnership Award to Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett.

Accomplishments in 2007 (more...)

In 2007, Operation Our Town grants have funded drug raids and seizures, saturation patrols and a part-time prosecutor in the Blair County DA’s office dedicated solely to drug crimes.

Many have credited this funding for the fact that Blair County drug arrests are up and crime rates and drug deaths are declining.

 Operation Our Town’s Most Wanted List, initiated May 23, 2007, has taken 11 of 17 suspects listed off the streets — a 65 percent capture rate.

Funding for programs like SWOOP (Street Wise Outreach Opportunity Program) and the R.O.C.K. (Reaching Out to Community Kids) are helping to educate kids and keep them from using drugs.

Grants to local law enforcement

Operation Our Town will award $200,000 in 2008 for law enforcement. The money will help pay for:

Special operations — Warrant squad, interdiction squad, saturation patrols, search warrants, drug hot line, stakeout details, drug raids and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program.

Blair County Task Force — Tactical equipment, rental vehicles, training, supplies, radios, entry vests and helmets and entry tools.

Association of Blair County Law Enforcement (A.B.L.E.) — Police training equipment and materials to enhance, update and maintain the interactive training system provided by the regional terrorism task force.

Logan Township Police Department — Tactical entry equipment 

Operation Our Town will also be making the second $45,000 payment on a three-year grant for a Blair County assistant district attorney specializing in drug cases.  

Grant availability for prevention and treatment

Grant money totaling $200,000 will be available for proven local prevention and treatment programs in 2008. There will be two grant cycles of $100,000 each. The first applications will be accepted beginning in March, with the second cycle to follow in September.

Support of Booker T. Washington Community Revitalization Project

The Blair County NAACP, along with numerous other concerned citizens of Blair County, have initiated a project called the Booker T. Washington Community Revitalization Project in the area of 19th Street and 13th Avenue. 

It involves the rehabilitation of a heavily used outdoor basketball court at 1827-31 13th Ave. and the addition of benches, a small gazebo and new landscaping. Plans also call for the purchase of two city lots across the street from the basketball court from the City of Altoona at minimal cost. The lots will be leveled for a park that will include a large pavilion with benches, outdoor grills and a large play unit.

Short-term goals are to enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, achieve community ownership and provide a safe place for children of all ages to socialize. Long-term goals include further improvements to the park to include gardening clubs and other neighborhood activities.

Operation Our Town has awarded a $10,000 grant and sees the project as an opportunity for education and prevention of illegal drug use and related criminal activity.

Partnership with Pennsylvania State Police

Operation Our Town has initiated a partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police in Hollidaysburg for law enforcement in a further effort to reduce illegal drug use and related crime in our area.

The partnership has three main components:

• Saturation details throughout Blair County, which could include the use of K-9 units, helicopters and troopers.
• Operation SHIELD, a highway interdiction team for detection of narcotics in vehicles.
• Undercover drug investigations.

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Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Altoona Mirror
reaching out
Operation Our Town recently presented a grant of $8000 to the ROCK (Reaching Out to Community Kids) after-school program.  The money will go toward keeping the program running for children in kindergarten through 12th grades.  The program is held at the Second Avenue United Methodist Church in Altoona and provides a hot meal, structured game time, physical recreation period, art time and instruction focused on positive life choices. 

At the presentation were (from left): front -- Karen Hughes, ROCK volunteer; Shawna Hoover, Operation Our Town coordinator; Randy Feathers, regional director, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Narcotics; Danny Billetter, ROCK program director; Patti Fabinyi, ROCK music program director; Matt Lake, pastor, Second Avenue United Methodist Church.  They are shown with program participants behind them.

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