Operation Our Town held the final leg of its 9th annual golf tournament at Park Hills Country Club Today. Over 160 high school students participated in a specia
Freehling
Operation Our Town on Thursday presented its top award to recently retired Altoona Police Chief Janice Freehling.
The Community Partnership Award is presented annually to Blair County law enforcement individuals who have demonstrated their commitment toward making the community a safe place to live and raise families.
“I congratulate Chief Freehling for all of your years of service and hours of support to Operation Our Town. She is someone who always had the right response to crimes,” said Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks.
Freehling, Altoona’s first female police chief, retired March 1 after 44 years in law enforcement, the last 20 years as chief.
wfrank@altoonamirror.com
The coronavirus pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to law enforcement in 2020, Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks told members of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Club on Thursday via Zoom.
“In 2020, we had more homicides here than in the previous 10 years. The number of fatal drug overdose deaths increased in 2020 as a result of the pandemic and the imposed lockdown by the governor,” Weeks said.
The influx of drugs has been a big part of the problem.
Weeks said the problem spiked after the end of mandatory sentencing in 2013.
“We have seen an influx of pure and cheap heroin and a dramatic increase in drug overdose deaths. In 2018, we saw a massive rise in methamphetamine that continues to plague our community,” Weeks said.
Chamber sets breakfast club for March 11 via Zoom
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Club will meet at 7:45 a.m. March 11 via Zoom.
The event will be directing its attention to the many accomplishments of Operation Our Town, a community and business partnership that promotes healthy neighborhoods and protects its citizens from illegal drug use and resulting crime.
The cost to attend is $15 for both chamber members and non-members. To register and secure the link, contact the chamber at 814- 943-8151 or go to www.blairchamber.com.
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