June 28--Exeter Police Chief Christopher L. Neidert doesn't want to make enemies among the people he serves.
That's why, after careful consideration this week, he decided to scrap the department's plans to build a shooting range on Neversink Mountain.
"It's not worth it," Neidert said Wednesday, in the wake of protests from township residents who live at the base of the mountain in the Reiffton area. "It's something that we need. But I don't want to make enemies with our residents and our citizens here in Berks County and in Exeter Township."
The range, planned for Pennsylvania American Water Co.-owned land, would have been the department's first outdoor training and certification range.
The township currently pays Cumru Township to let Exeter's officers train at Cumru's firing range.
There also is a two-station indoor shooting range in the police department but its utility is limited.
Until recently it was out of service due to an overflow of evidence stored in the already crowded police quarters. Though it's since reopened, police officers can take only pistol practice because it is unsafe for the two other firearms that they have to be qualified to use, the patrol rifle and shotgun.
Now, the department is hoping to form some sort of partnership with an existing range in the township.
"People rely on us to protect them, and the only way we can protect them is to train," Neidert said. "So, hopefully someone else will step up to help us,"
The decision to abandon the range plan was welcomed by Abigail Wolfe, a West 33rd Street resident who had raised concerns about the proposed range's safety and what effect it would have on property values.
"I'm elated and relieved," she said. "This is definitely nice to check this off the list of things to worry about."
Wolfe added that she understands the importance of officers staying up to date on their training.
"I don't want them to fall behind in their skills," she said. "I just don't want them to sharpen it in my backyard."
Contact Becca Y. Gregg: 610-371-5032 or [email protected].
Copyright 2012 - Reading Eagle, Pa.
