Although the 2022/2023 school year has just started, the Upper Allen Police Department has already begun to receive reports of drivers failing to stop for school buses with flashing red lights. With National School Bus Safety Week just over two months away, the Upper Allen Police would like to remind motorists that Pennsylvania law requires the following when a driver encounters a school bus with its lights activated:

Yellow signal lights activated
– Proceed past the bus with caution and be prepared to stop the vehicle

Red signal lights activated and side stop signal arms extended
– Stop vehicle at least 10 feet before reaching the school bus
– Do not proceed until the flashing red signals are deactivated and the stop arms have retracted
– In no event shall the driver move until any children have reached a place of safety
– When a bus is stopped at an intersection with lights activated, ALL directions of the intersection must stop

These requirements apply on all roadways unless they are physically separated, such as a guard rail or concrete center barrier.

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On Sunday, August 28, 2022 at approximately 1:05 PM, Upper Allen Police responded to a two vehicle crash in the 2000 block of South Market Street. It was determined that the operator of one of the vehicles had run a red light and struck another vehicle. One of the operators was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Upper Allen Police were assisted on scene by Penn State Health EMS, the Upper Allen Fire Department, and the Upper Allen Fire Police.

August 23, 2022

Pictured: Chief Andrew Parsons, PLEAC Accreditation Program Coordinator
James Adams, Traffic Safety Officer/Accreditation Manager Jory Harlan

In July, the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) voted unanimously to re-accredit the Upper Allen Township Police Department. This 4th re-accreditation status will be in effect for another three-year period. Through the re-accreditation process the Department was able to prove that its operations adhere to the professional law enforcement standards set forth by the Commission. The 139 standards are related to the operations of a professional law enforcement agency to include investigations, training, and policy, among many others. The Department is proud to join with the 147 other agencies in the Commonwealth of PA which hold accreditation status. For any inquiries related to the accreditation program and its implementation within the Upper Allen Township Police Department please contact us.

On Monday, August 22, 2022, the Upper Allen Township Police Department participated in a move over detail on the US Route 15 corridor that was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. During the traffic detail Officers initiated traffic stops for various vehicle code violations, with an emphasis on the move over law. The purpose of the detail was to both enforce the law, but also to educate violators who were unaware of the law.

In Pennsylvania, Section 3327 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code – “Duty of driver in emergency response areas and in relation to disabled vehicles” requires that motorists approaching or passing an emergency response area pass in a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency response area. For example, if a police officer has a traffic stop on the right-hand shoulder of US Route 15, approaching motorists are required to move over to the left-hand lane. If this is not possible, the law requires motorists pass the emergency response area at a speed no more than 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. The law applies to both emergency response vehicles and also disabled motorists. The goal is safety for all individuals on the roadways.

Officers from Carroll Township Police Department and Northern York County Regional Police Department participated in the detail in their respective jurisdictions as part of a coordinated effort to enforce the law.

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On Saturday, August 13, 2022, at approximately 8:40 PM, Upper Allen Police responded to a residence in the 2800 block of Myrtle Drive for the report of an attempted burglary. A resident observed two suspects attempting to enter the home before they fled the area.

Police are asking anyone with information about the suspect’s possible identity to contact Upper Allen Police at 717-238-9676. An anonymous tip line is also available by calling or texting 717-850-UAPD (8273). Anonymous tips can also be submitted online by visiting: www.upperallenpolice.com