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Breakout has public concerned

Fresh on the minds of residents during last night's monthly Penn Forest Township board of supervisors meeting was an incident that took place on Behrens Road early Saturday morning.

As reported in Monday's TIMES NEWS, three juveniles who had escaped from the Youth Services Agency Camp Adams, broke into a home on Behrens Road and fled from police along Interstate 80 in a vehicle they had stolen.Many in attendance were understandably distraught and worried that incidents in the area would only get worse, leading to more property damage and even harm to residents.The board reflected their sentiment and agreed that representatives from Camp Adams should have been present at the meeting last night to address Saturday's break-in and subsequent police chase.The board also noted that Camp Adams representatives have not attended the last three monthly meetings, and they promised to extend an invitation to the Youth Services Camp to attend a special public meeting to address this specific incident and general concern about the governance of the camp.Ron Mantz, who lives along Behrens Road, believes that these incidents are more common than are being reported, and told the board, "We're going to have a real issue going on here if something isn't done."While many are concerned about the administration of Camp Adams, others are worried about the governance of the township itself.From the floor, Barbara Kehm voiced her concern that quick turnover in township support staff was detrimental to the practical business and efficiency of daily administration on many levels."Are the expectations of the applicants too high to be met? If this situation occurs in private business, management is held responsible by the shareholders. You are responsible to the citizens of this township."She continued, "If one or two secretaries resign, that happens. With the third secretary, you begin to question. After the fourth secretary, you know there's something wrong."