PRESS RELEASE - Mayor's Remarks from PA LETI Program

For Immediate Release

April 13, 2021

Contact socialmedia@upperdarby.org 

MAYOR BARBARANN KEFFER’S FULL REMARKS FROM THE PA LETI PROGRAM PRESS CONFERENCE IN UPPER DARBY

Thank you Attorney General Shapiro and District Attorney Stollsteimer for their vision and leadership in recognizing Upper Darby and the Upper Darby Police Department as the right partner to advance innovative and smart new community policing strategies. As the 6th largest municipality in the Commonwealth and by far the largest municipality in Delaware County we are well positioned to create positive change in law enforcement as well as in the everyday lives of people. That is what the LETI program is all about - not just public safety generally but genuine compassion and care for individual people, especially those in crisis. 

I am confident in Superintendent Bernhardt and our officers to use their judgement in the implementation of this program to help earn and grow community trust and that will make us all safer and healthier in the long run. The LETI program is community-focused policing at its best. It balances all treatment options with the enforcement of the law and strives to best help our residents with all available 21st century tools and best practices. Simply put: The LETI program saves lives and families by recognizing and treating addiction for what it is: a disease and not a crime. 

Thank you once again to Attorney General Shapiro for his trust and confidence in Upper Darby and to DA Stollehiemer and Superintendent Berndhardt for all of their work and dedication on behalf of Upper Darby. And, a very special thank you to Gina Marchetti who spoke so bravely about her personal story. To anyone who has struggled or is struggling with addiction, please know that we are on your side and that help is available if you need it. Thank you.

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