South Whitehall Township Police Department

🐻🍩🚔 What do bears and cops have in common? They both LOVE Dunkin’ donuts!

A big thank you to Carly and the Philadelphia Dunkin’ team for surprising our department today on National Donut Day with donuts and coffee. The thoughtful gesture was in recognition of our Dunkin’ lovin’ SWT bear that was safely captured back in May.

We’re incredibly grateful for the expertise, assistance, and partnership of the PA Game Commission in ensuring the safe capture of our township bear.

Happy National Donut Day, everyone! Enjoy your favorite donut, and have a great June 5th! 🍩☕

🚗📵 Eyes Up. Phone Down.

Pennsylvania’s hands-free law, known as Paul Miller’s Law, prohibits drivers from using a hand-held mobile device while driving — including when stopped at a red light, stop sign, or in traffic.

Beginning June 5, 2026, violations may result in a $50 fine, plus court costs and fees.

Before you drive:
✅ Set your GPS
✅ Send texts before leaving
✅ Put your phone out of reach
✅ Pull over safely if you need to use your device

A text, call, notification, or quick scroll is never worth a crash.

Stay focused. Drive safe. Protect yourself and everyone else on the road.

Learn more from PennDOT:
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/traveling-in-pa/safety/traffic-safety-driver-topics/distracted-driving

The South Whitehall Township Police Department stands in sorrow with the family, loved ones, and brothers and sisters in uniform of Officer Kristen Yeager.

Her service, courage, and commitment to her community will not be forgotten. During this incredibly difficult time, we honor her sacrifice and keep all who knew and served alongside her in our thoughts.

Today, our department mourns the heartbreaking loss of Officer Kristen Yeager, who made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to a call for service on May 29, 2026.

Officer Yeager served our community with courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication. She answered the call to protect and serve each day, placing the safety of others above her own. Her commitment to her badge, her fellow officers, and the citizens she served will never be forgotten.

We ask that you keep Officer Yeager’s family, friends, and our entire law enforcement family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

Rest easy, Officer Yeager. Your watch has ended, but your legacy of service and sacrifice will live on forever. We got it from here.

🖤💙 End of Watch: May 29, 2026

⚠️ SCAM ALERT ⚠️

Please beware of phone call and text message scams. Do not respond or provide any personal information. Delete the messages and block the numbers immediately. If you do not recognize the phone number, do not answer the call.

Common Scam Tactics

* Scare Tactics: Scammers frequently claim you have an outstanding warrant, missed jury duty, or violated a fake “gag order.” They will threaten arrest unless payment is made immediately.
* Fake PA Turnpike Tolls: Another scam currently circulating involves fake Pennsylvania Turnpike text messages claiming you owe unpaid tolls. These messages often contain suspicious links and requests for payment information.

How to Protect Yourself

* Do Not Click Links: The Pennsylvania Turnpike advises customers never to click on links in text messages, emails, or other communications from an unsolicited party claiming to be the PA Turnpike Commission or another tolling agency.

* Verify Independently: Even if you think a message may be legitimate, it is best practice to avoid clicking any links. Instead, contact the company directly using a website or phone number you know is real. For more information, visit the PA Turnpike Security & Fraud page: https://www.paturnpike.com/about-us/security-fraud

* Report Spam Texts: If you receive a suspicious text message, forward it to **SPAM (7726)**. This free service alerts your wireless carrier so they can help block future scam messages and protect other customers.

* Educate Yourself: Learn more about how to recognize and report spam text messages directly from the FTC: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-report-spam-text-messages

Please stay alert and share this information with family and friends, especially seniors who are often targeted by scammers.

Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Their courage, dedication, and selflessness will never be forgotten.

From the South Whitehall Township Police Department, we wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

🐻 BEAR UPDATE: The Soccer Fields are Officially "Bear" Free! ⚽

Early this morning, our officers responded to a call regarding a furry, four-legged trespasser hanging out near the Lehigh County soccer fields.

Thanks to a quick and coordinated effort with wildlife officials, the black bear was safely and humanely captured. As you can see, he was safely loaded into a transport culvert trap and is currently on his way to be relocated to a much more suitable, wooded habitat far away from our sports complexes.

We are happy to report that both the bear and our officers are safe and unharmed!

Thank you to everyone for your cooperation this morning. Have a great—and bear-free—day!

For more information regarding bear safety please check out

http://Bearwise.org

A massive THANK YOU to Chapman Chevrolet and the Jewish Day School for your incredible support during National Police Week! 💙🚓

Your generous donation of lunch for our officers was an amazing treat and deeply appreciated by the entire department. 🤝🇺🇸

Happy Mother’s Day from the South Whitehall Township Police Department! 🌷🚓

Today, we want to take a moment to celebrate all the incredible moms, grandmothers, and mother figures in our community. Thank you for your endless dedication, love, and the sacrifices you make every single day to keep your families strong, supported, and safe.

We also want to send a special shoutout to the amazing mothers within our own ranks, our officers and civilian staff who balance the demanding job of serving the public with the most important job of all: raising the next generation.

We hope you have a wonderful, safe, and relaxing day surrounded by the people who love you.
Happy Mother's Day! 💙💐

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY – RETAIL THEFT SUSPECT
Location: Weis Markets
Date: May 2nd, 2026

We are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying an individual involved in a retail theft that occurred on May 2nd at approximately 2:39 PM at Weis Markets.

If you recognize any of these individual or have information regarding this incident, please contact this department:
• Officer investigating: Ofc. Bilka
• Phone: 610-398-0337
• Reference: Weis Retail Theft – May 2nd