Montgomery County, PA

NORRISTOWN — The Montgomery County Commissioners and the Montgomery County Sheriff will hold a press conference Wednesday, April 26^th to announce a major initiative to improve safety on the streets of Norristown as part of their ongoing efforts to revitalize the borough.

The press conference will be at 11:30 a.m. on Main Street in front of the Montgomery County Court House.

The County Commissioners have given Sheriff John P. Durante the green light to hire three additional deputies for the purpose of making a uniformed presence in the downtown business district during the day when most people are in town to do business or visit the Court House.

“We are devoted to the revitalization of Norristown and for that to happen, people have to feel safe when they come to Norristown,” said Commissioner Chairman Thomas Jay Ellis, Esq.

“The County is already providing funding to assist Norristown in putting eight additional police officers on the streets,” Ellis said. “This pilot program will reinforce that and I applaud the Sheriff for thinking outside the box.”

On top of the three new positions, Sheriff Durante said he would send deputies normally assigned to provide courtroom security and other duties out on patrol when the Court is on break or they otherwise become available.

The deputies will patrol around the Court House, the downtown business district, the Norristown Transportation Center and along the Schuylkill River Trail. In addition to foot patrols, motorcycles will be used in some instances.

“These patrols are intended as a deterrent, as eyes and ears for the Norristown Police,” Durante said. “If my deputies see anything happen, they will first alert Norristown Police. If necessary, they will hold and detain until the Norristown Police can make the arrest.”