Currently, the Township has no plans to cancel trick or treat, or to issue restrictions.  Trick-or-treat is scheduled for 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Halloween, Saturday, October 31, 2020.  Anyone actively participating will be required to adhere to existing COVID-19 public health guidelines (i.e., social distancing, mass gatherings, etc.) issued by the CDC, Governor’s Office, and State and Local Health Departments.  As we get closer to the date, it is quite possible that the aforementioned agencies could issue restrictions or limitations as we continue to adapt to the progression of the pandemic.  Any changes to the Township’s position regarding trick or treat will be conveyed through this website and social media. 
Due to the large number of annual attendees, Caln Township's Halloween Parade has, unfortunately, been cancelled for this year. 

FROM THE CDC
HalloweenMany traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Lower risk activitiesThese lower risk activities can be safe alternatives:

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
• Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
• Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
• Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

Moderate risk activities

• Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard)
  • If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags.
• Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart
• Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
  • A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
  • Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
• Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
  • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
• Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing
• Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart
  • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
  • Lower your risk by following CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs.

Higher risk activitiesAvoid these higher risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19:

• Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
• Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
• Attending crowded costume parties held indoors
• Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
• Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
• Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors
• Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19
  

Caln's Historic Hexagonal Schoolhouse to Receive New Roof! 
A replacement roof is currently being installed on the schoolhouse, helping to ensure the beauty and safety of this irreplaceable gem. The Schoolhouse also recently received a fresh coat of paint, and is a welcoming site along G.O. Carlson Blvd.
We are hoping that monthly tours (currently on hold due to COVID-19 safety concerns) will be able to resume in the coming months.
For those who don’t remember, the schoolhouse was moved from Edge Lane to the Township building in 1968 in honor of the Township’s Centennial. It’s featured on the Township logo. You can learn more about this fascinating little building at www.Calntownship.org/history
 
Spackman Farm Updates:
The BOC has granted the Historical Commission's request for funding to replace the deteriorating Spackman Farm Barn Roof. Bids will be advertised later this month, and the contract will be awarded in late September. Saving this barn from imminent collapse is only the first step towards restoring this Historic Property to grandeur. Other plans currently in motion are the installation of outdoor power, lighting and security cameras to prevent future acts of vandalism.   ​

These words identify household hazardous waste (HHW). Items marked as such should be disposed of accordingly:

• Caution
• Combustible
• Corrosive
• Danger

• Explosive
• Flammable
• Hazardous
• Poisonous

• Reactive
• Toxic
• Warning

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW) DISPOSAL GUIDELINES

• No commercial waste - The county will not accept any commercial or industrial generated hazardous waste.
• No illegal materials - The county will not accept any materials that cannot be legally disposed of at a hazardous waste facility.
• No mixing - Do not mix materials.
• Tighten all lids - If containers are leaking, pack in a larger container with newspaper to soak up the leaks.
• Items must be identifiable - Bring all substances in original containers with labels.
• 25 gallon/220 pound limit - The maximum amount accepted is 25 gallons or 220 pounds. No 25 or 50 gallon drums.

HHW COLLECTION DATE: REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL HHW EVENTS! FOR DEP COMPLIANCE, WE MUST LIMIT CAPACITY.
​SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2020 - COATESVILLE LEARNING CENTER,1635 E. LINCOLN HWY. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/household-hazardous-waste-event-in-chester-county-tickets-113101345168

• YOU MUST SHOW YOUR REGISTRATION TICKET AND PLEASE WEAR A MASK.  
• MATERIALS IN TRUNK OF CAR.
• STAY IN YOUR CAR. STAFF WILL REMOVE YOUR MATERIALS.

Click here for a list of accepted materials
Learn more at:
https://www.chestercountyswa.org/117/Household-Hazardous-Waste

From Penn State Extension: 
https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-management-for-homeowners

A guide that reviews the identification, life cycle, current distribution, and techniques for managing spotted lanternfly on your property.  Download PDF  Available in Spanish

ARTICLES UPDATED: MAY 8, 2020
Introduction
Spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive planthopper, native to Asia, that was first detected in southeastern Pennsylvania in 2014. It feeds on many plants, including economically important crops like grapevines and ornamentals. If you think you have SLF, do not panic! First, make sure the insect you are seeing is the spotted lanternfly. Second, learn about its life cycle and habits. Third, determine what plants it is infesting and what it is not. Fourth, employ effective management strategies at the proper time of the year.

Identification and Life Cycle
There is one generation of SLF per year. The eggs are laid in the fall and hatch in the spring. Egg masses are laid on hard surfaces (trees, decks, houses, outdoor equipment, rocks, etc.) and protected with a mud-like covering. Each egg mass contains 30–50 eggs. After hatching and before reaching adulthood, SLF goes through four nymphal stages. Nymphs are small (⅛ to ½ inch) and can be hard to find. The first three stages (instars) are all black with white spots, and the last instar is red with white dots and black stripes (Figure 1). SLF adults emerge in July and are active until winter. This is the most obvious and easily detectable stage because they are large (~1 inch) and highly mobile. Adults have black bodies with brightly colored wings. Only the adults can fly. SLF wings remain closed while they are feeding and walking. SLF wings are gray with black spots, and the tips of the wings are black with gray veins.
Figure 1. The life stages of SLF, including an egg mass on a tree.

Quick Facts

• SLF is a destructive invasive pest threatening agricultural and ornamental plants.
• As of May 2020, 26 counties in Pennsylvania are under quarantine for SLF. SLF has also been found in 5 other states in the northeastern U.S.
• SLF does not bite or sting.
• SLF does not kill all trees it feeds on. SLF is a plant stressor that, along with other stressors, can cause significant damage to its host.
• Stop the spread of SLF by checking your car and any outdoor equipment (grills, mowers, firewood, etc.) when going in and out of the quarantine zone.
• Manage SLF on your property by scraping and destroying eggs, carefully using bands or traps on trees, removing preferred hosts, and using registered insecticides for control when appropriate.

Current Distribution and Reporting
​An SLF quarantine is currently in effect for 26 counties in Pennsylvania (Figure 2). More counties may be added to the quarantine if additional populations of SLF are confirmed. If you find a spotted lanternfly, kill it and report it immediately with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's online reporting system or by calling 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359).

“Keeping Our Waterways Clean!”
 
Did you know the most common litter in streams is household trash?
-Plastic bags, bottles, food wrappers, and many other items can quickly be transported by wind and/or surface water runoff during storm events (storm water).
-Products such as cleaners, lawn fertilizers, and vehicle fluids are often inadvertently collected into storm drains. Organic material such as leaves, sticks, gravel and grass clippings also can be carried by storm water into the municipal system.
-These materials often make their way into nearby waterways and eventually the ocean. These are all forms of water pollution, and pose a great risk to aquatic life, water quality, and even our own health and safety.
 
During the week of June 21st, join your neighbors and local businesses (while maintaining social distancing!) and help keep Caln Clean! 
-Submit photos and/or a simple description of what you and your household or business cleaned up on the Township’s Facebook page.
-Please remember to dispose of waste in an appropriate manner. We encourage the use of reusable or bio-degradable containers and/or bags! Together we can keep our community clean!
 
You can learn more about the impacts of litter on our waters and other ways to help here: https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters
 
Contact: ms4@calntownship.org or 610-384-0600

Following the senseless killing of Mr. George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers, we joined with law enforcement agencies throughout the country and abroad to openly condemn that murder and police brutality in general.  We continue to support peaceful, local protests and vow to be part of the solution to effect positive change through meaningful reform.

We’ve received many inquiries from concerned citizens about our own policies and how we train our officers to mitigate a similar tragedy from occurring here. #8cantwait is a campaign that aims to bring immediate change to police departments, through the effective use of policies, in an effort to reduce the potential for harm and to save lives.  While these eight (8) policies are by no means an exhaustive list, they establish a foundation to restore public trust in law enforcement.  It’s my sincere hope that the Caln Township community takes comfort in knowing that our department enacted and has historically adhered to these policies long before public and political outcry and demand following the Minneapolis tragedy and other national incidents involving officer misconduct.

#1 Ban Chokeholds & Strangleholds
Our current policy specifically states that officers shall NOT employ any form of neck restraint, such as Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint (LVNR) or carotid control hold, except when an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury exists, and no other option is available. In situations involving the use of lesser levels of force, our policies address measures to avoid the potential for positional asphyxia.  Our department conducts annual defensive tactics training with all sworn officers with an emphasis on de-escalation.

#2 Require De-escalation
Our training and policies require officers to take appropriate measures to avoid escalation and to de-escalate potential confrontational situations.  Officers also receive crisis intervention training as part of a partnership with the community to promote officer safety and the safety of individuals in crisis, including, but not limited to, individuals suffering from drug addiction and mental disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury.

#3 Require Use of Force Continuum
Our current Use of Force, Use of Deadly Force, and Use of Force Prohibition policies require that whenever possible, the force used by officers should be progressive in nature.  The use of force continuum is as follows:
Level 1 – Officer Presence
Level 2 – Verbal Direction
Level 3 – Soft Empty Hand Control (to control passive or defensive resistance)
Level 4 – Hard Empty Hand Control (defensive counter strike)
Level 5 – Intermediate Weapons (impact weapons, i.e., baton or electronic control device)
Level 6 – Deadly Force (last resort, e.g., use of firearm)
In determining the necessity for force and the appropriate level of force, officers shall evaluate each situation in light of the known circumstances, including, but not limited to, the seriousness of the crime, the level of threat or resistance presented by the subject, and the level of threat to public safety.  The use of force must be objectively reasonable.

#4 Requires Exhausting All Alternatives Before Shooting
Our current policy specifically states that the use of deadly force, such as the use of firearms, should only be used as a last resort and when lower levels of force have been ineffective or would be inappropriate given the threat level confronting the officer.  An officer may use deadly force when the officer reasonably believes such action is immediately necessary to protect the officer or another person from imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.

#5 Require Warning Before Shooting
Our current Use of Deadly Force policy specifically states that whenever feasible, an officer should identify himself and state his intention to shoot before using a firearm.  Even our Less Lethal Weapons policy states that whenever practical and feasible, officers should issue a verbal warning and their intent to use OC spray or an electronic control device (ECD) prior to discharge.

#6 Ban Shooting At Moving Vehicles
Our current policy prohibits the use of warning shots, firing a weapon to disable a moving vehicle, and discharging a firearm at or from a moving vehicle except as the ultimate measure of self-defense or the defense of another.

#7 Require Comprehensive Reporting
Our current Use of Force Report policy requires officers to complete a use of force report anytime an officer uses any type of force from Level 3 or above in the Use of Force Continuum with the exception of handcuffing, or is alleged to have used force upon another person, no matter how slight.  The report is to be completed for both lethal and less lethal force.  The use of force report must also be completed anytime an officer points a deadly weapon at anyone while on duty.  All use of force reports are reviewed by the officer’s supervisor, the Deputy Chief of Police, and the Chief of Police to ensure policy and training standards were strictly adhered to.

#8 Duty to Intervene
Our current Code of Conduct mandates officers to protect life and property, preserve the peace, prevent crime, obey all Federal and Commonwealth laws, to respect the civil and constitutional rights of citizens, and to provide medical attention whenever necessary.  Officers are obligated to take immediate action when any of those basic principles are violated or at risk, in an effort to correct the situation at hand and to prevent it from escalating and creating further damage or harm.  They are also required to report misconduct to a superior officer.  Failure to do so, or failure by a superior officer to take appropriate action would constitute neglect of duty and subject that officer to disciplinary action up to and including termination if warranted.  Additionally, an officer cannot display cowardice in the line of duty or in any situation where the public may be subject to physical danger.

Nonetheless, as protests and demonstrations continue, these issues and concerns remain in the spotlight, particularly for communities of color.  I chose the #8cantwait campaign because it captures the vast majority of questions that we’ve received during the past two weeks.  In addition to our personnel and operational policies that comply with the strictest accreditation standards, we utilize a rigorous hiring process that includes physical, written and oral examinations, an extensive background investigation process that exceeds state certification requirements, and includes, but is not limited to, medical, polygraph and psychological testing, drug screening, criminal history, driving record, credit history, educational & employment history, and a check of the applicant’s social media usage.  Successful applicants who are hired undergo a lengthy field training program and are subjected to a one year probationary period from the date of hire.  Our policies prohibit bias based policing and we are committed to ongoing training and education, including cultural diversity and ethnic sensitivity.  We employ strict accountability at all levels within the department and place a strong emphasis on our investment in the community.  All of our patrol vehicles are equipped with in-car camera systems and we are in the process of evaluating the addition of body worn cameras in the near future.

I’m proud of the men and women of our department and assure you that we will continue to work with the community to earn the trust and respect of our residents and businesses.  I will not allow the senseless, criminal acts in recent times that occurred outside our borders, and beyond our control, to disgrace our department and the vast majority of law enforcement professionals that are dedicated to the communities that they protect and serve without consideration of class, color, creed or condition.  At the same time we cannot ignore systemic problems where they exist, and we have a duty and an obligation to make whatever changes are necessary to prevent another senseless attack on humanity and our civil liberties.

Sincerely,
Chief Joseph G. Elias

​The Caln Township Police Department has designated a “Safe Zone” meeting area in the parking lot at the front entrance of the Police Department to conduct safe online transaction exchanges. For added safety, this area is equipped with a 24 hour live surveillance camera. Look for the green "Meet up Spot" sign near the front entrance of the Caln township Police Department.