By: Jennifer Potash
While some public officials may rue the constant complaint calls from constituents, Borough Police Chief Charles Davall says he wants more feedback from residents and has recently taken steps to make it easier to get in touch with him.
As part of his effort to reach out to borough residents, the chief posted a link on the department’s Web site so citizens can contact him even to set up meetings with local coffee klatches or neighborhood groups.
"If there are little groups that meet for coffee that would like us to come and talk with them, I’m more than happy to do that," Chief Davall said. Building on efforts established by his predecessor, Chief Thomas Michaud, Chief Davall promotes a community-policing philosophy in all units of the department.
Last year, the Safe Neighborhoods Unit held several neighborhood meetings that Chief Davall said helped the department understand the major concerns of those residents. Traffic woes, such as speeding vehicles, always topped the list, he said.
But as a result of staffing changes, the Safe Neighborhoods Unit became temporarily understaffed, he said. Two officers with the Safe Neighborhoods Unit were assigned to the Traffic Unit mainly to target speeders using neighborhood streets as shortcuts around the major roadways, he said, and Patrol Officer Sharon Papp, who led many of the neighborhood meetings, was assigned to other duties pending a promotion to sergeant.
The department expects to fill at least one vacancy this year, Chief Davall said.
While residents can always pick up the phone and call him with concerns or questions, the chief said, "That hasn’t happened."
At the borough police Web site, www.princetonboro.org, users may send the chief an e-mail by clicking on the mailbox icon at the bottom of the page, or they can send messages directly to [email protected]. Chief Davall also can be reached at (609) 924-4141.

