Dingman asks new commander for help with speeding

DINGMAN TOWNSHIP — The new commander introduced himself to the Dingman township supervisors.

“I’m here, a 24/7 kind of guy, so if you need me, call me,” said Lt. Sean Jennings, who took over as commander of the Pennsylvania State Police barracks at Blooming Grove on June 8. “If you have any particular concerns in the township, call me. I gave my card to the secretary.”

He came to the supervisors' meeting on July 21 to introduce himself and to say he was always available to help.

The supervisors said speeding on local roads was a problem in Dingman.

Jennings said he’d before never worked in Pike County so didn’t know the roads very well. He asked about problem areas, and the supervisors gave him guidance.

“Do you think you’re going to stay a little while?” asked supervisors' Chair Thomas Mincer.

“Yes, I think so," Jennings replied. "I asked for this assignment."

He said the previous commander, Chris Paris, got promoted.

Paris now holds the rank of Captain at the Dunmore station in Lackawanna County.

Jennings told supervisors he’d previously worked in Monroe County, and for 10 years worked on criminal cases.

He said the barracks will keep in touch with local boards.

“We attend all township meetings at least once a month," said Jennings. "We’re going to all of them throughout Pike County."

The Blooming Grove barracks was the scene last September of a violent ambush that killed one trooper and seriously injured another. The suspect, Eric Frein, was caught after an intensive manhunt that lasted more than a month. Frein has been charged with first-degree murder and terrorism, among other charges.