Analysis Flaws emerge in the DCED presentation for the Jenkintown Police Jenkintown Matters, November 19, 2024November 20, 2024 Analysis of the Police Patrol Coverage Calculations The PA DCED team presented its Cost to Benefit report findings to the Jenkintown Borough Council and the Jenkintown community on November 13,… Continue Reading
Live-stream Jenkintown DCED Presentation Livestream Jenkintown Matters, November 19, 2024November 19, 2024 This is the unedited video of the entire meeting. The presentation is based on flawed data, is incomplete, and is essentially worth the money that we paid for it —… Continue Reading
Jenkintown Police Abington Police Respond to Chief Scott’s Force Reduction Plan Jenkintown Matters, November 12, 2024November 12, 2024 We have become aware of a letter from Chief Thomas Scott to the members of his department informing them that their minimum staffing for night shift patrol officers (7pm-7am) has been changed to only one police officer on duty for the entire Borough of Jenkintown. Continue Reading
News What We Know As Of November, 2024 Jenkintown Matters, October 31, 2024November 3, 2024 After negotiations failed, arbitration was scheduled for August. However, in July 2024, Chief Scott reported that the arbitration was postponed until October. In October, it was revealed that the arbitration was once again postponed until spring of 2025. Jenkintown’s police officers will have been working without a contract for 15+ months. Continue Reading
Commentary I never worried about Jenkintown. Now I’m afraid. Jackie Connolly, October 30, 2024October 30, 2024 Jenkintown represents every thing I’ve ever wanted in a home town. But now as a senior citizen, I’m not just worried, I’m a bit afraid. Continue Reading
Jenkintown Council Jenkintown Council Meeting Notes Jenkintown Matters, October 23, 2024October 27, 2024 Before recording a unanimous tally, Council’s queen of hyperbole Alex Khalil actually described the Chief as, “…one of the best thing that’s ever happened to Jenkintown”, which sets a pretty low bar for Jenkintown. Continue Reading
Jenkintown Police Jenkintown’s Police Situation: A Different Perspective — the One from Home Jenkintown Matters, October 8, 2024October 8, 2024 Being a police officer means making relationships with members of the community you serve. It means holding someone’s hand as you deliver news with empathy of the loss of a loved one. It means seeing a child in an abusive situation and being a safe haven for that little person. It means performing CPR on someone in the middle of a medical emergency until an ambulance arrives. It means standing in the rain and helping kids cross the street as they go to school and then making rounds in that school to ensure their safety throughout the day. Continue Reading
Jenkintown Council Jenkintown Council Workshop Meeting Notes Jenkintown Matters, September 23, 2024September 23, 2024 Here’s what we learned from the September 18, 2024 Council workshop: During public comment period, a resident asked if it was true that Jenkintown police service was being reduced to… Continue Reading
News Ken Krawchuk to Speak About Running for Office Jenkintown Matters, September 10, 2024September 11, 2024 If you believe Jenkintown needs a real council race, please attend this event. With the next Jenkintown election just over 400 days away, now’s the time to think about running… Continue Reading
Jenkintown Police One-Man Jenkintown Police Patrols: Penny-Wise, Pound-Dangerous Jenkintown Matters, September 3, 2024September 3, 2024 We must stop pretending that Jenkintown is a bubble, immune from the potential dangers other communities are facing. Thinking “that would never happen in Jenkintown,” no longer applies. Continue Reading
Jenkintown Council Council Meeting Notes August 28, 2024 Jenkintown Matters, August 31, 2024August 31, 2024 Reduced comment time, parking meters make us safer, JM in the spotlight, and George Locke scores one for the opposing team Here’s what we learned from the August, 2024 Borough… Continue Reading
Jenkintown Council Chief Scott, ParkMobile, and The New Parking Squad Jenkintown Matters, August 11, 2024August 29, 2024 Chief Scott takes flack for his changes to Jenkintown parking enforcement which may make the deficit worse. The issue of parking in Jenkintown continues to rage in council meetings and… Continue Reading
News The DCED Peer Review project—when did it start? Jenkintown Matters, August 6, 2024August 9, 2024 At the April 25, 2024 Borough Council meeting, Chief Scott announced that the DCED would be doing a full cost benefit analysis of the Jenkintown Police Department at no charge…. Continue Reading
What We Know What We Know as of July 2024 Jenkintown Matters, July 26, 2024July 29, 2024 Over the past six months, residents have been inundated with news about the state of the Borough’s finances and whether or not it would dissolve, merge, or streamline our police… Continue Reading
Jenkintown Council Alex Khalil on Social Media Jenkintown Matters, July 18, 2024July 19, 2024 Jenkintown’s most outspoken council member “knows plenty” but reveals little. Of the twelve that serve on Jenkintown Borough Council, Alex Khalil’s feisty reputation makes her a stand out on an… Continue Reading
Analysis Five Council Meeting Agendas: How Does Jenkintown Compare? Jenkintown Matters, June 27, 2024June 28, 2024 By law, an incorporated entity is required to have meetings and provide agenda to stakeholders in a timely fashion. As far as the law is concerned, Jenkintown complies. But that’s it. When Jenkintown residents want to see the details of what Council approves, they must file a Right to Know. Other boroughs provide some of that information at every meeting. Continue Reading
Commentary Why file a Right to Know request? Jenkintown Matters, June 25, 2024June 25, 2024 In an ideal world, all governmental documents (excepting privileged documents, such as those involving litigation or personnel issues) would be readily available to the public. Unfortunately, at least in the Borough of Jenkintown, this is not the case. Continue Reading
Analysis Budget Spreadsheet Errors Jenkintown Matters, June 16, 2024June 18, 2024 The following information is the result of our examination of the Borough’s most recent budgets, identifying significant and minor errors. These discrepancies do not necessarily suggest wrongdoing within Borough Hall…. Continue Reading
Jenkintown Stories No Place Like Jenkintown Jackie Connolly, June 9, 2024June 9, 2024 When I was a kid growing up in Elkins Park, I was thrilled when I was finally allowed to take the bus into Jenkintown on a Saturday to “knock around town” as my great grandmother used to call it. It cost a whopping 25 cents to go from the corner of Elkins Avenue and York Road to be dropped off in front of the Highway movie theater. I was 12-years-old with my allowance firmly tucked in my pocket. Continue Reading
Commentary About Our Members Jenkintown Matters, June 4, 2024June 9, 2024 You will find us getting signatures at local events and anywhere the community gathers. We post on the JCP. And most importantly, we attend Council meetings and ask questions. You won’t really know our members until you meet them. Continue Reading