Media borough is less than one square mile with a dense residential population of about 5,360 residents. The daytime population swells to between 12,000 and 24,000 as people enter Media to work in offices and the County Courthouse. During large events in the borough like Super Sunday, the Greater Media Car Show, the State Street Blues Stroll, the Media 5 Mile Race and Dining Under the Stars, the population can swell to upwards of 40,000 people. Even though policing in a borough with daily shifts in population can be challenging, the Media Borough Police serve the people of the borough with professionalism and dedication. They are keepers of the peace and protectors of the public.
The Borough was incorporated in 1850. The Media Police Department was organized on January 9, 1877. Currently the Media Borough Police Department has 14 full- time and four part-time officers. Many officers have received some form of specialized training whether it’s crowd control, SWAT team training or crime investigation. During special events, the department forms platoons to help cover the larger crowds. Community groups running the event help to fund the overtime necessary for their events to guarantee coverage without too much impact on the police budget. In addition to large events, the police are sometimes called for traffic control and direction for special events within the borough, such as large funerals and most recently for a book signing by Geraldo Rivera at the Media Theater. While the Delaware County Park Police and Sheriffs provide coverage for the courthouse during the work day, our police department patrol and protect the borough everyday, day or night.
If You See Something, Say Something…
Chief Martin Wusinich, in his 40th year with the Media Borough Police and his 33rd year as Police Chief, believes that borough residents and visitors can be a huge help to the police force. Marty states that residents and visitors should never hesitate to call 911. “If you see it, hear it, call 911 – let the police decide if it was important enough to call”. According to Chief Wusinich, we have a very robust and extremely capable 911 call system located in and serving Delaware County. Residents should never hesitate to call in suspicious activity or an emergency.
Keeping borough residents safe is the police department’s number one priority. Officer John McCormick who has been with the Media Borough Police for over 16 years, reminds residents and visitors to always be aware of your surroundings: watch for cars in crosswalks, especially if using a cell phone while crossing, and remember that during large events on State Street, pets are not permitted and open containers of alcohol are prohibited.
The Media Borough Police Department is a service oriented police department who not only respond to quality of life issues like traffic and parking complaints but who also serve as protectors against crime and crowd management and control. The International Association of Chiefs of Police encourages and fosters a cooperative and collaborative relationship between the police force and the community it serves: “No single factor has been more crucial to reducing crime levels than the partnership between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. In order for law enforcement to be truly effective, police agencies cannot operate alone; they must have the active support and assistance of citizens and communities.” So, the next time you see one of our borough police officers, we encourage you to get to know them. They are a great group of men and women!
To learn more about the Media Borough Police Department, visit their website or Facebook Page.