Successfully resolving hostage situations depends upon keeping the criminal confined but not isolated, two state police corporals told about 50 law enforcement personnel Wednesday at the annual Schuylkill County Police Symposium at the Pottsville Club.
"Once he's contained, time is on your side," said Cpl. Michael Sadusky of the Schuylkill Haven station. "The more methodical you work, the better off you are."
Cpl. John Mallon of the negotiations unit of the Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations also emphasized that containing and communicating with the hostage taker are vital.
"(Police) set up a perimeter. It wears on you," he said. "Act like you care. Just listen to the guy."
Handling hostage situations was one of the topics addressed during the symposium, which was sponsored by the district attorney's office and brought together police and other law enforcement personnel from around the county to learn new tactics and discuss new ideas on how to fight crime.
"These are your cases," District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon told those assembled in an effort to increase cooperation and make prosecutions flow more smoothly.
Sadusky reminded officers that if confronted with a hostage situation, they need to be willing to act as a sounding board for the criminal, although they must be willing to shoot if necessary.
"You've got to start at some point building a rapport. Communication is the key," he said. "Let them scream. At least nothing is happening to the other people in the house."
Two retired state police officers also made presentations, one on tracing stolen goods in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the other on handling vehicle stops.
Frank Bartalotta told those assembled that the Nepa Precious Metals and Second Hand Goods Database can help them find stolen jewelry and other items.
"We have a lot of success stories to go with it. We do have a lot of tracking built into the website," Bartalotta said of the database that started in Luzerne County. "There's no way you can track this stuff other than this."
Greg Miller used numerous videos to show the officers how best to confront drivers and passengers during a vehicle stop in order to produce the best results.
"We have to have a traffic violation to stop somebody," he said. "I always like to get multiple violations on a violator. You don't have to stop somebody immediately."
Miller said that once an officer makes the stop, he should approach the vehicle on the passenger side in order to protect himself and observe the maximum amount possible of the interior.
After giving the initial ticket or tickets, returning the license and other documents, and telling the driver he can leave, the officer can use what he sees to question the driver, and passengers if any, about possible unlawful activities or vehicle contents.
Indicators of possible criminal activity include air fresheners to fight the smell of drugs, multiple cell phones to conduct drug deals and a single key to transport money or drugs in a borrowed car, Miller said.
"We have to win all the time," Miller said of law enforcement.
Prosecutors had stressed that whatever evidence is obtained in traffic stops or other aspects of an investigation must be made available to them so it can be produced to defense lawyers, who have a right to see it.
"You have to say, 'Do you have everything?' " Byrnes-Noon told officers.
Bruce L. Bruso, president and chief executive officer of CBA Environmental Services Inc., Hegins, told those present that taking apart a clandestine drug laboratory can be perilous.
"They're very nasty. They're very dangerous," he said.
Not only is the lab dangerous in itself, but lab operators can add booby traps, mousetraps, acid spills and odd weapons to make it even worse, Bruso said.
Concerning drugs, Sheriff Joseph G. Groody announced that his office will be adding a box to collect prescription drugs that are no longer needed. He said the drugs will be locked in the office vault until they can be placed in the semi-annual countywide drug takeback programs, the next one of which will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26.
Two of the police chiefs attending the symposium said they were happy they did.
"I thought it was great, covering a lot of pertinent information so we can do our job and do it safer," Hegins Township police Chief Steven S. Lohr said.
Port Carbon police Chief Jon J. Bowman agreed, saying the parts on hostage situations and vehicle stops were particularly interesting and helpful.
"I thought it was very informative ... a good general refresher," he said.