Chief of Pottstown Police Mick Markovich comments on the prospect of protest in Pottstown
The United States is deeply divided in its political agenda and thought, with Pottstown being no exception to that schism of belief. With the results of the election pending, the New York Times reported that “storefronts and office buildings were being boarded up throughout the weekend,” suggesting “chaos and riots” and a country that is “palpably on edge.”
Hill student Samuel Beckett reached out to the Pottstown Chief of Police, Mick Markovich, in a written conversation to ask of police involvement in the prospect of violent protests.
Chief Markovich cordially answered the majority of Beckett’s inquiries, but upon some, said that he had “no comment.”
Markovich spoke to the relationship the police department has with Mayor Stephanie Henrick and Councilor Trenita Lindsay, writing that it is “excellent” and “forged on respect.”
According to Markovich, the police department “provides a service to the Borough of Pottstown” and operates in accordance with their demand.
In answering Beckett’s question of police interference in possible protests, Markovich wrote that “Policing is not just about putting handcuffs on people, it is about working with the community to protect them and the borough.”
That work within the community is a “never ending task that constantly changes”, remarked Markovich, and it is “our job to understand what the Pottstown community needs from us to feel safe.”
What this suggests is that if needed by the community and sanctioned by the borough, the Pottstown Police Department will intervene in protests, if they occur.
In a Hill press conference with both Mayor Henrick and Councilor Lindsay on Oct. 8, both officials were in agreement about Chief Markovich as being “so supportive with our community.”
As detailed in an article from the aforementioned Hill press conference, Rose Flaherty ’23, Emma Gray ’22 and Hunter Sloan ’23 reported that “Councilor Lindsay gave several examples of the police force integrating [itself] into the community of Pottstown,” with specific reference to their participation in an event for Muslim citizens.
Councilor Lindsay told Hill students that the police department is interested in building a “relationship of trust and respect.”
With the prospect of citizen retaliation to the results of the presidential election high in likelihood, Chief Markovich seems confident in the police department’s ability to keep the peace in observing that event.
The previous comments made by both Mayor Henrick and Councilor Lindsay suggest that Markovich and his department would have their full support in the coming days.
Staff Writer Sam Beckett ’22 contributed to this report.
