Tamaqua Mayor Nathan Gerace updated borough council on borough police department activities.

“This number may surprise you - there were 7,141 dispatches last year,” he said.

Gerace explained that the number averages to 20 calls per day, 10 calls per shift and five calls per officer each day.

The number doesn’t take into account traffic stops, phone calls, criminal arrests or warnings issued, he said.

“That number is calls solely give from county dispatch,” Gerace said. “It’s a pretty big number. It makes us one of the busiest, if not the busiest, department in the county.”

The mayor said he often hears questions about criminal arrests from community members. There have been 17 of those arrests in 2024, and Gerace said the process takes time.

After the crime is reported, officers need to investigate, obtain warrants, arrest and arraign the suspect. And if the suspect can’t post bail, the officer must transport them to prison.

“One criminal arrest at its simplest form takes about two hours, and on average takes about six hours,” Gerace said. “It’s about half a shift consumed.”

He reminded council of the different services implemented by the department. A Vape Task Force is cracking down on illegal sales of nicotine products to youths, and officers frequently visit area schools to ensure safety and familiarize children with the department.

“Our department has been working with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office in strategic partnerships that target drug dealers in our community,” he said. “This has led to consistent drug arrests. This takes drug dealers off our streets one by one.”

Tamaqua police also received a grant from the Highway Safety Network to target aggressive and reckless driving. The force continues its involvement with the Human Trafficking Response Team Task Force, which has held several meetings in the borough. Gerace added that officers are continuing their education with the help of a $150,000 grant from the Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative.

So far this year, the department has issued 113 traffic citations, 107 parking tickets for expired registrations, licenses and other issues, and 96 parking meter tickets.