Chief Ken Rutherford - Lansdowne Police

08/14/2026

Come and meet all the new officers.

It has been far too long since we formally had Coffee with a Cop. We couldn't be happier to be back with the amazing folks over at Travers Food Market on Thursday, August 20.

Stop by to talk to our officers and have a cup of java on the house. We have a number of new officers who we'd love for you to meet!

(They're also up for Best of Delco in SEVEN categories! Voting concludes on the 16th. Vote early, vote often!)

08/11/2026

Thanks for all that you do.
Lansdowne Police Department

08/05/2026

I couldn’t be more proud of everyone who helped make this year’s National Night Out such a great success. Thank you to our officers, first responders, Borough staff, volunteers, community partners, and everyone who came out to spend the evening with us. Events like this are a reminder of what makes Lansdowne such a special community. Thank you all for your hard work, support, and commitment to making this a memorable evening!

08/03/2026

As Chief of Police, I understand that not every action taken by our officers will be viewed favorably. In many cases, the public only sees a brief moment in time and may not know what led to that interaction.

The truth is that our officers are frequently called to address situations they didn't create. More often than not, these calls originate from residents, business owners, or visitors who are asking for our assistance with quality-of-life concerns, disruptive behavior, safety issues, or violations of local ordinances. It is our responsibility to respond to those calls and address the concerns that have been brought to our attention.

I can assure you that our officers don't wake up each day looking to disrupt someone's afternoon or ruin a family's plans. They would much rather spend their time building positive relationships with our community. However, they also have a sworn duty to enforce the law and apply local ordinances fairly and consistently, even when those decisions may be unpopular.

I ask our community to remember that there are often circumstances behind the scenes that cannot always be shared publicly. While we understand that not everyone will agree with every action we take, please know that our officers strive to treat everyone with dignity, respect, and professionalism while balancing the needs and expectations of the entire community.

I also want to mention that my posts on this page are intended to provide information to our community and are not meant to generate back-and-forth debates or arguments on social media. Meaningful conversations are always more productive when they happen directly. If you have a question, concern, or would like to discuss a matter with me, I welcome that opportunity. Please feel free to contact me directly at 610-623-0700, and I will be happy to speak with you.

Thank you to the many residents who continue to support our officers and recognize the difficult job they perform each day. We remain committed to serving the Borough of Lansdowne with integrity, fairness, compassion, and transparency.

Magda Byrne - Mayor of Lansdowne BoroughLansdowne Police DepartmentLansdowne Borough, PA

07/24/2026

This has been an exceptionally busy week for the Lansdowne Police Department. While it sometimes feels like we face weeks like this regularly, this one truly tested our department in many ways.

From executing a high-risk search warrant, recovering fi****ms, investigating and locating a missing person, handling multiple motor vehicle accidents, and responding to our steady volume of calls for service, our officers have continued to meet every challenge with professionalism, dedication, and teamwork. On top of that, they have remained engaged with our community by attending and participating in local events, reinforcing the relationships that make Lansdowne such a special place.

I want to personally thank every member of the Lansdowne Police Department for your unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe. Your ability to stay focused, support one another, and serve with professionalism, even during our busiest times, does not go unnoticed.

I am proud to serve alongside each and every one of you. Thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and your continued commitment to the residents and visitors of Lansdowne.

Stay safe!
Magda Byrne - Mayor of Lansdowne BoroughLansdowne Police DepartmentLansdowne Borough, PA

07/23/2026

07/18/2026

07/12/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peaceful Resolution to Barricaded Subject Incident on North Lansdowne Avenue

On Sunday, July 12, 2026, at approximately 12:15 p.m., Lansdowne Police officers were dispatched to a retail establishment on North Lansdowne Avenue for the report of a subject threatening patrons with bodily harm and acting erratically.

Upon arrival, officers learned the individual had fled to a nearby apartment building. As officers attempted to make contact, the subject, who is known to the police, threatened to get his gun and fight any officers who entered the building.

Out of an abundance of caution, officers immediately established a perimeter and requested additional resources, including the Delaware County Emergency Response Team. Given the possibility that the subject was armed, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation by making repeated efforts to contact him by telephone. Those attempts were unsuccessful.

During the incident, the subject briefly exited the building before returning inside and refusing further commands or communication. Members of the Delaware County Emergency Response Team ultimately entered the building and safely located the subject inside a third-floor apartment. The subject was taken into custody without incident.

As part of the incident, store patrons and nearby residents were evacuated from the immediate area for their safety. We recognize that these evacuations created an inconvenience, and we sincerely appreciate the cooperation and patience shown by everyone affected.

Situations involving barricaded subjects require a significant law enforcement response. While the number of officers on scene may appear overwhelming to some, each officer has a specific responsibility that is critical to ensuring a safe outcome. In addition to attempting to resolve the incident peacefully, officers are responsible for establishing a secure perimeter, evacuating residents and businesses when necessary, keeping bystanders out of danger, controlling traffic, coordinating emergency resources, and preparing for any potential escalation. These coordinated efforts are designed to protect the public, the officers on scene, and the individual involved.

Thankfully, no officers, residents, or members of the public were injured during this incident.

The safe resolution of this incident was the direct result of careful planning, clear communication, and the restraint exercised by all officers involved. While these incidents can be disruptive, our primary objective is always to protect lives and bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion whenever possible.

I want to commend every officer and emergency responder who assisted during this incident. Their professionalism, patience, teamwork, and commitment to de-escalation resulted in a peaceful resolution to what could have been a very dangerous situation. Their actions reflect the highest standards of law enforcement and public service.

I would also like to thank the residents, businesses, and motorists for their patience and understanding throughout the incident. We recognize that this event caused traffic delays and disruptions to normal daily activities, and we greatly appreciate the public's cooperation as we worked to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

No other information is being released at this time.

Chief Kenneth C. Rutherford Jr.
Chief of Police
Lansdowne Police Department
Lansdowne Police DepartmentMagda Byrne - Mayor of Lansdowne BoroughLansdowne Borough, PA

07/02/2026

A huge thank you to the amazing team at the WSFS Bank Lansdowne Branch of WSFS Bank for treating our officers to water ice and pretzels on this sweltering day!

Small acts of kindness like this go a long way, especially for officers who are out in the heat serving our community. Your thoughtfulness and generosity were truly appreciated and brought a few well-deserved smiles to our team.

We are grateful for the continued support of our local businesses and community partners. Thank you, WSFS Bank Lansdowne Branch, for helping keep our officers cool and reminding us what makes Lansdowne such a special place to serve!
Magda Byrne - Mayor of Lansdowne BoroughLansdowne Police DepartmentLansdowne Borough, PA

05/04/2026

Update

The northbound and southbound lanes on Lansdowne Avenue between Greenwood Avenue and Stewart Avenue have been reopened to traffic.

We would like to extend our thanks to the PECO crews for their quick and efficient work in restoring the area. The damage was extensive, and their efforts allowed the roadway to reopen much sooner than expected.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and cooperation.

Traffic Alert

The northbound and southbound lanes on Lansdowne Avenue between Greenwood Avenue and Stewart Avenue are currently closed due to a traffic accident involving damage to PECO poles and wires.

Please avoid the area and seek alternate routes while crews work to make repairs and ensure the area is safe.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
Magda Byrne - Mayor of Lansdowne BoroughLansdowne Fire CompanyLansdowne Police DepartmentLansdowne Borough, PA