Cops, Courts & Fire - Yardley Borough

PennDOT, Partners Highlight Traffic Safety During Labor Day Across SEPA

Published

4 years ago

September 1, 2022

staff

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), Pennsylvania State Police, New Jersey State Police, Delaware State Police, Pennsylvania DUI Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), AAA Mid-Atlantic, and victim’s advocates Richard and Roseann DeRosa, held an event today at the Walt Whitman Bridge in South Philadelphia to promote safe driving during the Labor Day holiday.

During the holiday period, which runs through September 5, local and state law enforcement will target impaired drivers through enforcement details. Motorists found driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 or over will be arrested.

“Impaired Driving is a national concern that continues to impact the lives of our communities. Delaware State Police remains committed to making Delaware’s roadways safe by increasing public awareness of the law and strengthening enforcement efforts,” said Sergeant India Sturgis, Director of Public Information for Delaware State Police.

Paid for by Friends of Tina Davis

MADD is proud to support law enforcement working to keep roads safe at the end of a very busy summer. “Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants everyone to be safe and have fun this Labor Day weekend and to plan ahead for a non-drinking driver every time plans include alcohol. With so many options available – rideshare, taxis, public transportation, or a friend or family member who chooses not to consume alcohol – there is never any excuse to drive impaired. If you are the non-drinking driver, please follow the speed limits to help keep our roads and communities safe for everyone, and make sure you and all your passengers buckle up,” said Deborah D’Addona, MADD Victims Services Specialist.

When Richard and Roseann DeRosa lost their daughter, Deana Eckman, four years ago to a drunk driver on his sixth DUI, they swore they would fight to change state law so no other family would suffer at the hands of a repeat DUI offender.

Governor Tom Wolf signed “Deana’s Law,” a bill named after their daughter that sets tougher penalties for serial DUIs. The law requires consecutive sentences for people convicted of third and subsequent DUIs and increases prison sentences for the offenders. The new law takes effect in November.\

E-mail advertisingonlbs@gmail.com

“There are no words strong enough to describe the pain of losing your child,” Rosann DeRosa said. “Deana’s death has left a wound in our lives that will never fully heal. What happened to her and our family could have happened to anyone. We are incredibly grateful that Deana’s memory will better protect Pennsylvanians from those who repeatedly and wantonly drive under the influence.”

According to PennDOT data, in 2021, there were 362 crashes and three fatalities in the Philadelphia region during the Labor Day travel period beginning on Friday, September 3, running through Monday, September 6. Of those, 34 crashes and one fatality were impaired-driving related.

“Whether you are traveling in or just passing through Pennsylvania, driving under the influence is 100% preventable,” said Major Robert Krol, Director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. “Troopers throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are trained to look for impaired driving behaviors and, consistent with our highway safety mission, have a zero-tolerance approach toward driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

To help make smart choices related to impaired driving, PennDOT encourages motorists to:

Plan ahead for a sober driver if you plan to use an impairing drug;
Don’t let friends get behind the wheel if they’re under the influence of drugs;
If you’re hosting a party where alcohol or other substances will be used, it’s your job to make sure all guests leave with a sober driver; and
Always wear your seat belt – it’s the best defense against impaired drivers.

AAA expects the Labor Day holiday weekend travel volume will return to near pre-pandemic levels, like the Memorial Day and Independence Day holiday weekends earlier this summer. That means one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

In its annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports nearly all drivers (94%) disapprove of drinking and driving; however, 6% admitted to having done so in the past 30 days. AAA urges everyone to celebrate the unofficial end of summer safely.

“As the summer travel season draws to an end with the upcoming Labor day holiday weekend, AAA urges motorists to remember that increased traffic means an increase in the chance for crashes,” said Jana Tidwell, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “No one should ever get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.”

For more information on PennDOT’s highway safety efforts, you can visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com or downloading the 511PA mobile application. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, visit the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.

Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Subscribe to PennDOT District 6 news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.

Up Next

Feds: Bensalem Man Gets 20 Years in Prison for Drug Dealing

Don't Miss

Sinkhole Closes Section of Pond Street in Bristol, Repairs Thursday and Friday

staff

Click to comment

Cops

Emergency Crews Prepare for Incoming Blizzard as Lower Bucks Municipalities Declare Storm Plans

Published

2 weeks ago

February 21, 2026

Joanne Ames

Credit:: Veinna Carcel

Lower Bucks municipalities have declared disaster/snow emergencies in advance of the expected snow storm that the National Weather Service says will dump anywhere between 14 to 18 inches on the area.

A winter storm warning is still in effect from Sunday, Feb 22 to Monday, Feb 23.

Each municipality has its own link. For more information and updates, please click on their associated link.

Bensalem Township – Disaster Emergency declared immediately for the pending snow storm. Click here to see more details.

Bristol Borough – Snow information/requirements have been posted on their website. Click here to see the details.

Bristol Township – Snow Emergency effective 12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 through 12 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Click here to see more details.

Falls Township – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. and expires on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 a.m. Click here for details.

Langhorne Borough – Snow Emergency starts Sunday, Feb. 22 at noon until Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. No parking. Click here for details.

Lower Makefield Township – Snow information has been posted on Meta. Click here to see the details.

Middletown Township – Snow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 12 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. . Click here to see details.

Morrisville Borough – Snow Emergency is in effect from Sunday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. to Monday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. Click here to see the details.

Newtown Township – A Snow Emergency is in effect from 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 until 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Click here to see the details.

Penndel Borough – Snow Emergency has been declared from 12 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, through 12 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026. Click here for more details and click here for more on the ordinance.

Tullytown Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 6 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 6 p.m. Click here to see more details.

Warminster Township – Disaster Emergency has been declared for the incoming snow storm, effective Sunday Feb. 22, 2026 at 12 p.m. through Tuesday, Feb. 24,2026 at 12 p.m.. Click here to see the details and click here to see the declaration from Township Manager Tom Scott.

Yardley Borough – Snow Emergency proclamation in effect from Sunday Feb. 22 – 4 p.m. to Monday Feb. 23 – 4 p.m. . Click here to see the details. and click here to see declaration/other information from Mayor Caroline Thompson.

The primary concern is safety. Take care of yourselves and check on neighbors and those who may be vulnerable.

Please stay safe, take all necessary precautions, and keep your devices charged.

Click here for updates from the National Weather Service

Click here for PECO’s outage map.

Cops

Buyers Beware: Thieves Are Using Social Media to Sell Stolen Vehicles, Cops Say

Published

1 month ago

January 21, 2026

staff

Police across the commonwealth are warning consumers looking to purchase vehicles online about an uptick in reports in which thieves are using social media based sites to sell stolen vehicles.

Police departments across Pennsylvania are seeing an uptick of cases in which criminals are using channels like Facebook Marketplace to sell stolen vehicles, often with counterfeit titles or falsified paperwork, law enforcement officials say.

At least one investigator reported, investigators say, that of the vehicles recovered, almost none of them exhibit signs of tampering or damage.

Be cautious and help protect yourself:

Verify Vehicle History: Always check the vehicle identification number (VIN) and run a full vehicle history report.
Avoid Cash-Only Transactions: Use traceable payment methods and meet sellers in safe, public locations.
Inspect Carefully: Look for signs of tampering and never buy a car without confirming its ownership and documentation.

And always remember, authorities say, if something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts. Stay alert, stay safe, and don’t let a quick deal turn into a costly mistake.

Cops

DA-Elect Khan Prepares to Take Office; Transition Team to Seek Community Input

Published

2 months ago

December 30, 2025

Jeff Bohen

District Attorney-elect Joe Khan earlier this month formally announced the launch of his Transition Committee.

Khan thanked outgoing District Attorney Jennifer Schorn for her support during this process.

For the remainder of 2025, the Transition Committee will advise Khan as he prepares to take the oath of office in January, a transition team spokesman said.

“In 2026, the committee will reorganize and seek community input for reforms that can be recommended to Khan during his first 120 days in Office. The Committee will conclude its work by assessing and reporting on the status of any recommended actions and strategies,” officials said in a release.be

Last week Khan announced Brendan Flynn (Chief of Staff) Kristin McElroy (Chief Deputy District Attorney) and Elizabeth Oquendo (First Chief of Civil Enforcement) would be joining his team.

“Brendan’s life in public service began at age 18 when he was sworn in at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and has included service as a homicide prosecutor in Philadelphia and as an aide to then-Congressman Patrick Murphy in Bucks County. I’ve worked with Brendan to resolve high stakes matters over the last few years and I can’t wait for him to step into this critical new role serving and protecting our community!,” said Khan.

Flynn also co-chairs the transition team.

Credit: Submitted

“KMac” is an exceptional public servant who has dedicated her career to protecting the most vulnerable in Bucks County. Her integrity, energy and work ethic will set the standard of excellence in this exciting next chapter of the DA’s Office!,” the DA elect said.

“Oquendo will be returning to Bucks from the PA Attorney General’s Office, where she has enforced consumer protection laws to keep us safe from unscrupulous business practices. I am so excited to work with Elizabeth again!,” Khan said.

“I’m blown away by the talent and wisdom of these legal superstars and grateful for their counsel as we equip the DA’s Office to address the 21st century challenges facing crime victims, working families, and our environment,” the DA-Elect said.

Khan was elected District Attorney this past November earning 54% of the vote, winning more votes than any candidate for this office in the history of Bucks County, according to his transition team.