“Common sense” earns Solebury police officers commendations

A mentally ill boy was standing in his driveway on Creamery Road on April 5 holding a knife to his throat threatening to kill himself.
Solebury Police Chief Dominick Bellizzie on Tuesday told the township board of supervisors how three of his officers “used common sense, remembered their training,” and succeeded in convincing the juvenile to put down his knife “without injury to himself or any officers.”
The chief was attending the meeting to present the three officers – Officer Gina Ferzetti, Officer Sean Murrin and Officer Kevin O’Keefe – with Official Commendations of Merit for their actions.
Also in attendance were about a dozen Solebury police officers, including the department’s K-9 dog, Blitz, who was vocal in his approval during the presentations.
The commendations recount how Officers O’Keefe and Murrin were called to the residence and made several attempts to get the boy to put down the knife, with no success.
They then remembered that Officer Ferzetti, who was not at the scene, “had developed a rapport with the juvenile in the last several weeks.”
They contacted her and she phoned the boy and convinced him to place the knife on the ground.
“She talked him down,” Chief Bellizzie said.

“I’m here to tell you these three officers did an outstanding job to keep things under control,” the chief said.
In other matters, the chief wanted the public to know that National Night Out takes place Tuesday, Aug. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Laurel Park at 3092 Sugan Road.
The event is a “community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live,” the department states.
“(It) enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. (It) also provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”
Actually, Blitz will be making another public appearance there, “showing off some of his skills,” according to the department.
Also on hand will be the New Hope Fire Company and the township’s Park and Recreation Department, free food and refreshments, and a display of police and fire equipment to explore.

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