Our view: VFW incident spurs rumors amid lack of information

It's been 19 days since an incident involving an "incendiary device" injured three people inside the Shippensburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6168.

[Cletus]

Call it what it is, Matt: plain ol' stonewalling. The sad affair is, and has been, mismanaged from the git go. Stonewalling, refusing to inform the public is a bad decision. VFW leadership appears to be hoping, like children, that the unhappy issue will just go away and people will forget that it happened.
That, of course, won't occur and it indicates a degree of self-delusion is going on within the VFW.

[Ops You Did it Again]

So it's been nineteen days since the incident in Shippensburg. In the editorial, you indicate you spoke with the Shbg Police Department and were informed the officer would be off until July 28th.
I question the P.O.'s motive here other than to continue to "stir the pot" and keep the rumors flying. Why could you not wait several more days after being told the officer was off duty. They deserve time off for weekends and vacations.
My I respectfully suggest Mr. Major that you direct your efforts to solving the problems within your
circulation department to the communities outside of
Chambersburg. Last week I had 3 telephone calls from the Circulation Dept advising they were having
problems with the delivery's. Many of us who subscribe to your newspaper are asking ourselves
"why did they go to an AM paper" when we don't receive it until mid afternoon. Don't point fingers! Everyone has room for improvement!

[BGSU]

I have another suggestion: Could Mr. Major return phone calls? I was having trouble getting started on PO's Topix. After leaving four messages for him, I started to get a complex. I was beginning to sound like the "lonely lady" looking for a date.

[Tom]

Ops, You are right! Bunch of busy body's with nothing better to do than stir up the pot and spread rumors. SMALL TOWNS, nothing better to do I guess!

[Finally]

While I can't say for sure the PO's motives in writing this editorial, I will agree the ineptness of the Ship PD is now starting to become obvious to folks outside the community. For years, locals have realized the problems (whether it be lack of professionalism, priority conflicts, or poor leadership decisions).

Familiar with the case involving the VFW, I do know that some of the delay revolves around the victim's hesitation to "press charges". They also don't want any kind of legal action against the club, fearing their "social status" may be harmed and they may become disliked by their fellow club members.

The Ship PD is poorly managed (both by the Chief and the Borough officials). This is just another example...unfortunately, it was weird enough to draw attention from outside the community...

[Advice]

Here is an idea. Get rid of your stupid online forums...then there wouldnt be rumors circulating. I imagine that if someone is slandered, courtesy or your forum, that person would have an excellent legal case against the PO for facilitating and assisting, so to speak, in the slander being distributed! Im sure Ship PD will inform you when they are ready in the meantime ever consider calling the Cumberland Co DAs office?.....

[Misterowe]

Mr. Major, did you pursue the issue by asking the questions "What if something should happen to Officer Varner and he was unable to return to work? Does that mean the public would never get the results of the investigation?" Does Officer Varner work in a complete vacuum whereas he is not required to apprise his superiors of his findings in the investigation? He can't possibly be the only person in the Shippensburg Police Dept that could answer your questions. I think you were given the old "runaround".

[The Bonz]

You guys are funny 2 weeks ago you wanted to know everything about the VFW thing now someone is trying to get information now he is sturing up the POT please make up your mind

[Chambersburg]

Get a Job!!!!!!!!!!

[OutInSHIP]

This incident speaks highly of the cozy "nod and a wink" type of relationship which exists between Shippensburg's town officials and officials of many local clubs, in this case the Shippensburg VFW.

Club officials KNOW what happened, so too do the police.

To the Club:
Your community - which has so graciously supported your club's efforts (and your Vets) throughout the years - thanks you for giving us the kind of 'come clean' answer that we would expect only from a Socialist or Communist government. In other words, you will hear something once WE decide you will hear it.

To our local Police:
Sorry but I expect better.

[giorgio]

where were u at when i got the whole forum against me ??????????coz i said the cops get paid for doing nothing,, u r a little late

[Jenna]

Ops You Did it Again wrote:

So it's been nineteen days since the incident in Shippensburg. In the editorial, you indicate you spoke with the Shbg Police Department and were informed the officer would be off until July 28th.
I question the P.O.'s motive here other than to continue to "stir the pot" and keep the rumors flying. Why could you not wait several more days after being told the officer was off duty. They deserve time off for weekends and vacations.
My I respectfully suggest Mr. Major that you direct your efforts to solving the problems within your
circulation department to the communities outside of
Chambersburg. Last week I had 3 telephone calls from the Circulation Dept advising they were having
problems with the delivery's. Many of us who subscribe to your newspaper are asking ourselves
"why did they go to an AM paper" when we don't receive it until mid afternoon. Don't point fingers! Everyone has room for improvement!

Did you mean "Oops!" or Ops which is short for Operations? It is deliveries and not possessive. Are you certain you can read the newspaper after you get it?

[ShipResident]

That police department is screwed up! I am glad I dont live in the borough thats for sure!

[Trilby]

As an objective observer, it does strike me that 19 days after an incident where witnesses were to see what happened, the Shippensburg P.D. hasn't been able to supply a bare minimum narrative of who, what, when, where, and why. It's not clear why all activity stops when one member of the small police force is away for a short period. Seems the Chief ought to have the basic facts and could act as the spokesperson. If the investigation has not been completed, the Chief could say so but that's not a valid reason for not providing basic information about the case. The police chief and mayor ought to know that bad news does not get better with age.

[giorgio]

Jenna wrote:

<quoted text>Did you mean "Oops!" or Ops which is short for Operations? It is deliveries and not possessive. Are you certain you can read the newspaper after you get it?

I AGREE!!!!!!!!! with u

[Carol1]

Wow, one day, the PO won't give us any information, the next they give too much information, and the next they want too much information. Then why don't they look someplace else for information.
Gees, we turned into those rotten bosses we used to work for, remember:
Mr Rock and Mr Hard Place

[Mary]

Advice wrote:

Here is an idea. Get rid of your stupid online forums...then there wouldnt be rumors circulating. I imagine that if someone is slandered, courtesy or your forum, that person would have an excellent legal case against the PO for facilitating and assisting, so to speak, in the slander being distributed! Im sure Ship PD will inform you when they are ready in the meantime ever consider calling the Cumberland Co DAs office?.....

Advice, please advise about which office is conducting an investigation...the Police Dept. or the DA's office. Are both investigating? Your advice is needed.

[DEFENDER]

IT'S EASY TO CRITIZE SOMETHING YOU KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT.I'M JUST GLAD THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY WANT TO DO THE THANKLESS
JOB OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

[3rdMarDiv]

The forum or comment section has really outlived it's
usefullness and should be eliminated. I feel the
Public Opinion should publish the Police Reports in their daily Police Log and from there only publish
what occurs later within the court system.

[I am impressed]

How wonderful !!!! The Public Opinion staff has added apparently learned a new word.“MUM”!!!. During the past several days they have included the word “MUM” in the headlines of articles referring to the release of information relative to police departments and coroners offices. Where did you find this new word? Was it printed recently in a tabloid that your people read in their spare time. Watching and waiting for the next great discovery. Maybe I can help. Try using “DA” in the headlines. I’m sure it will impress people, like the idiots on this blog.