The Kennett Square Borough Council met to discuss issues pertaining to crime, the budget, and zoning
By P.J. D’Annunzio, Staff Writer, KennettTimes.com
Borough police continue to investigate the mugging of a man from a neighboring township in the alley next to the Genesis Building.
KENNETT SQUARE — Police Chief Edward Zunino presented recent crime statistics before the Kennett Square Borough council during the Monday meeting at the Kennett Fire Company’s Red Clay Room.
Zunino reported that during the month of May there were 12 “Part 1” crimes or serious offenses such as robbery, aggravated and simple assault, burglary, and vehicle theft; there were also 58 less serious “Part 2” crimes comprised mostly of disorderly conduct. Zunino also detailed that No DUI arrests were made for May among the 66 traffic offenses and 52 traffic warnings.
“That’s a good thing. Our officers always know what to look for and they’re trained in field sobriety testing,” he said.
There were also 741 police calls during May, an expected seasonal increase according to Zunino.
Also detailed was the Borough Police’s involvement in the DEA sponsored National Drug Take-back Initiative. The program encourages citizens to turn in unused or expired prescription drugs to local law enforcement for the purpose keeping them out of the hands of children or from finding their way onto the streets. This year borough police collected 57 pounds of old prescription medication, a substantial increase from the 25 pounds received last year. The program held last April saw12,055 lbs. collected statewide. Last year the program took in approximately 120 tons nationwide.
“It was a very successful event this April. I expect to see it again by the end of 2011,” he said.
Zunino also commented on last Wednesday’s targeted mugging, perpetrated in the alley outside of the Genesis building on State Street — the victim reportedly is the son of a township supervisor from a neighboring township.
“There are a lot of leads. We have video from another position that the suspects were in prior to [the mugging]. A wallet was taken, a little bit of cash, they didn’t take credit cards. We have things that they handled to help us with the finger printing process,” he said.
In other news, the council considered the refinancing of several bonds held by the Borough.
The borough has bonds covering three areas; general (pertaining to all matters), parking garage, and sewer (including building and planning) expenses. These bonds were furnished by RBC Capital in 1993.
“It’s similar to someone refinancing their house,” Councilman Geoffrey Bosley said, “the interest rates have dropped so we’re going to save money by doing that. We’re going to save about $540,000 over the next forty years.”
The council voted unanimously to refinance all but the sewer bond.
Finally the council deliberated setting up a hearing date for the amendment of a zoning ordinance in relation to the prohibition of certain personal services in non-corresponding commercial zones.
“The genesis of this was the body piercing branding and tattoo establishments…but it does have other definitions,” Councilman Brant Kucera said referring to the proposed amendments that would restrict shops like State Street Tattoo parlor located within the Borough’s C-1 district from operating closely to restaurants or offices.
The amendments will go on to clarify where line between office and service establishments is drawn, and will potentially include the removal and subsequent relocation of shops like the tattoo parlor into appropriate zones.
