More opportunities to shop, more new restaurants, and before long there will be a new casino with slot machines located along Route 19 in Washington County.
Washington Mall, Strabane Square, Trinity Pointe, the Foundry, and the anticipated Tanger Outlet Mall may be a boon for shoppers and the economy, but the surge in activity can also mean more work for local police.
According to South Strabane Township Police Chief Don Zofchak, who will have responsibility for protecting those visiting the areas near the malls, he has begun to see an increase in purse snatching and retail theft, along with traffic problems. “A lot of purse snatchings and retail theft is drug related,” says Zofchak. “A crack addict might need to steal some DVDs to pay for his habit. DVDs are big right now because they are easy to take and to re-sell.”
Zofchak says he has hired a new officer this year and is planning more when the outlet mall opens in late fall.
Private Protection
The police force isn’t the only protection for some of the businesses. J.C. Penney’s at the new Foundry has its own security force to limit problems. “The presence of security helps, but thieves hit the weak points by studying stores and testing the waters before they jump in,” says Zofchak. “Police patrols are alert, and citizens have to be alert, too.”
Zofchak believes it is most important for people to keep themselves safe. “We all need to be more careful. Don’t provide the opportunity. There are enough people out there intent on committing the crime and others who will commit crime if the situation presents itself.”
Zofchak says that customers are easily confused and distracted at the overwhelming size of some discount stores, thus becoming easy targets of thieves who may frequent such businesses. “When thieves get cash, credit cards, and a driver’s license they can wreak havoc,” says Zofchak.
He added that South Strabane Police have seen people travel from other states specifically to target certain restaurant chains that use chairs on which women can conveniently hang their purses - making it convenient for thieves, too. They often see several such purse-snatching over a couple of days before the thieves move to another area.
Traffic is another important issue. Zofchak, who has spent the past 32 years on the South Strabane Police Force, says, “It’s gone from speed causing accidents on Route 19, to today, when accidents are due to road rage because there is so much traffic. Speed-related accidents are usually caused by younger drivers, but there is also a problem with elderly drivers because some of the traffic patterns are difficult.”
He points to the tricky traffic pattern through Trinity Pointe. “Wal-Mart was not part of the original Trinity Pointe layout. If people use sense, they would use other ways to get into Trinity Pointe [and Wal-Mart], like from East Beau Street or by First Commonwealth Bank,” says Zofchak. “Also, don’t take for granted what the other driver will do. Patience gets worn thin. You don’t want to be in a situation with someone who has a gun.”
With slot machines slated for the new temporary casino at The Meadows racetrack in North Strabane Township, thieves know there will be people with money. But North Strabane Township Police Chief Dan L. Strimel says he expects thieves may be targeting senior citizens at the casino.
“We’ll have rich, poor, young and old coming to the casino, but large numbers of senior citizens commonly frequent such places because they are bored and they see it as entertainment, a place to socialize, or they believe ‘my ship may come in,’” says Strimel. He anticipates there will be bus tours of senior citizens that would mean even more seniors at the site. “This is all new to us. We don’t know what crimes people may commit.”
Lieutenant Daniel R. Levi, of North Strabane Township Police criminal investigation, says that with the increase in people in the area, they are expecting to see more traffic accidents, stolen vehicles, fraud, thefts and assaults. “Criminals seek crimes of opportunity and may see the new casino and surrounding developments as a potential target to conduct their activities,” says Levi.
“North Strabane used 12 to 14 police officers for traffic control when the Meadows was first opened, because we knew that most of the people would arrive about 6 and would leave after the last race,” says Strimel. “Interest slowed and there was more off-track betting, so the traffic problems resolved.”
“With the casino being open 24/7, we see the traffic as being a constant throughout the day and night,” says Strimel.
Four new North Strabane police officers were hired Dec. 31, 2006, in anticipation of the new casino. Strimel says there are currently 19 full-time officers and more may be added to offer more services more quickly as the community grows. “We would like more officers, but the township also needs more firefighters, road crew, and other services as the community expands, including volunteers. We’ll grow even without the slots.”
