DON BENN -- PENNSYLVANIA STATE CONSTABLE
Last week, the club was treated to a discussion from DON BENN, the Pennsylvania Constable for our area. Don pointed out that not many people are aware of the role constables play in law enforcement activities. The constable function in Pa. was created in 1664 and became an official part of the state government in 1787. Ho stated that Montgomery County is unique in the state due to its extremely large number of governing bodies in the county, which adds to the difficulty in setting up constables. The position, although elected, is not funded directly by the government. Fees and service charges fund their activities, but many of their expenses are on them.
The most important activity they participate in, is election night protection. It is their responsibility to protect voters and pole workers. These activities are covered by the Constable and the several deputies they appoint. Montco has only 35 constables.
Other activities that constables cover were revised in a video Don presented. They include serving arrest warrants, warnings, eviction notices, and livestock control, among others. The source of their assignments is the district courts.
We thank Don for his informative talk.