Jersey Mike

Just got a phone call from a reliable source who told me that Linda Thompson is apparently pulling the six assigned officers out of Harrisburg schools because “There’s no problem in the schools and the only thing the cops are doing is intimidating the children.”

Another misguided, megalomania-showing move by MFN LDT.

The woman isn’t qualified to make a decision like that. Not after six months on the job. And certainly not with the ongoing turmoil at the Harrisburg School District.

Police in schools (especially schools in an urban, inner-city environment) aren’t uncommon in the post-Columbine days. Even before the Colorado massacre, city police regularly patrolled the hallways of some of the more aggressive schools.

Because schoolchildren whose parents don’t care about what they do at or away from school tend to bring things like guns and knives to school – thereby requiring a police presence to deter bad behavior.

If it’s true that Thompson DID order the police out of Harrisburg schools, then this woman just got six times crazier in my book.

Can things get any worse?

You betcha.

Driving home from loading out Reuben Studdard at the Strand in York I was taking that left on Schuylkill- hoping to find a spot in my tiny, cramped parking lot.

Approaching Front, I spied seven or eight Harrisburg Police Department squad cars lined up against the river side of the street.

Obviously, I parked and walked over to find out the scoop.

Turns out- there was a guy breaking into cars somewhere in the neighborhood. One of the cars he was allegedly breaking into was in plain sight of the car owner.

Car owner called 911- the alleged theif took off and HPD responded.

The accused hauled ass down to Front street and jumped in the river- trying to swim away.

Harrisburg River Rescue was dispatched and had a few boats in the water for close to 45 minutes but were unable to find the guy.

A few minutes later, the guy who owned the car was driving around the neighborhood looking for the perp…and saw him climbing up the river bank near Schuylkill. He and his friends jumped out of their car and apprehended the suspect.

HPD brought out the cavalry and took the guy away.

(Note to self: this is the exact reason I need to have my camera with me at all times)

Ah, Harrisburg. The things you show us at midnight on a Thursday.

High five, HPD. And High five to the citizen assist.