By Allison Garvey
The Patriot-News
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Sometimes, the people you trust the most are the ones who deserve it the least, Lower Swatara Twp. police detective Robert Appleby said.
Clarence Riley knows what Appleby means.
Riley, the owner of Commonwealth Caterers in Lower Swatara Twp., began to notice small things missing from his business — a quarter of a case of food here, half a case of drinks there, a little merchandise, small pieces of equipment.
“Never all of anything and not enough to accuse anyone,” Riley said. “They were very clever.”
In February, at Riley’s request, Lower Swatara Twp. police set up hidden surveillance equipment. A trusted, longtime employee was caught stealing.
The employee was charged in March with misdemeanor theft, but Riley estimated the total theft losses over the years at $20,000 to $30,000.
“Anybody can do that to a small business,” he said.
Incidents like the one at Riley’s company have prompted Lower Swatara Twp. Police Chief Richard Wiley to team up with other township business owners, including Jack Nehlig, president of Phoenix Contact Corp., and Peter Phillips, president of The Phillips Group, to form the Lower Swatara Business and Police Association.
Essentially, they formed a neighborhood watch program for businesses. It’s the first such group in central Pennsylvania.
The association connects local businesses with the police department’s knowledge of crime trends, Wiley said.
The group’s quarterly meetings are attended by representatives from firms as diverse as Riley’s catering company and Tyco Electronics Ltd. It’s a way to keep businesses safe from crime by opening up communication and strengthening community.
The association is loosely modeled on a similar program in Philadelphia. The meetings include workshops on identity theft, crime prevention training and protecting employees from workplace violence.
Violence at work is a major concern for businesses, said Lesley Fritz, facility manager for Tyco Electronics.
According to John Kramer, professor of sociology, crime, law and justice at Penn State University, an association that specifically links law enforcement and the business community is unusual. He said the group could be beneficial.
Community policing has the effect of “building community spirit and increasing the security of the community,” Kramer said.
Skip Guenther is president of the Lower Swatara Twp. Policing Advisory Committee, the township’s neighborhood community policing organization. He regularly attends the association meetings to make member firms aware of local initiatives and programs, opening the lines of communication between businesses and the township.
“It’s a great program,” Fritz said. "[That] can only strengthen and benefit us all.”
Copyright 2007 The Patriot-News