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Chester County Press

Kennett Township appoints police chaplain

11/03/2015 01:35PM ● By Richard Gaw


By Richard L. Gaw, Staff Writer

In the unlikely event that anyone in Kennett Township may someday need a guardian angel to help get them through the immediate aftermath of a tragedy, the township's police chief just appointed one.

At the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 21, Police Chief Lydell Nolt appointed Rev. Annalie Korengel Lorgus as the township's new police chaplain. In addition to her new duties at the township, Lorgus is also the pastor of the Unionville Presbyterian Church, where she also serves as its Hospice Chaplain, Grief Counselor and Educator. She has 14 years' experience as a chaplain and grief counselor, and holds a number of certifications, including being certified as a mental health first responder.

"Sometimes in law enforcement, we have a set of good circumstances come our way and allow us to add some valued resources for the community," Rev. Korengel said. "Today's law enforcement officer is tasked with an enormous amount of responsibilities that often come in our fast-paced society. In the event of a tragedy, the pain and anguish can literally break some people's entire world, when the tragedy occurs. Pastor Korengel will provide the community with a resource in their utmost time of need, as well as a resource for our police staff, during their utmost time of need."

Nolt said that when he first met Rev. Korengel Lorgus, he had already been thinking of searching for a police chaplain for his department.

"When you have a police chaplain, you have the ability to make that phone call and say, 'Can you please come out? We have a situation where these people need somebody to talk to, and they need somebody to talk to now,'" he said. "Maybe she [Rev. Korengel Lorgus] will be needed just the one time, and maybe she will be needed over a long period of time, but she will be a resource for the offices and the community to have, instantaneously."

Rev. Korengel Lorgus begins her new township post immediately, and is offering her services to the township free of charge.

In other township news, the township will jointly participate in a shredding event at Kennett High School on Dec. 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., along with New Garden Township and Kennett Borough. Residents from all three municipalities will be able to drop off paper products, as well as unwanted technology products – such as televisions, computers and monitors – that they wish to get rid of.

On Oct. 28, a Zoning Hearing Board meeting will be held at the township building, to discuss the plans by Longwood Gardens to build a new paved parking area adjacent to Route 52, and will need to apply for a zoning hearing variance from the township, in order to do so.

The supervisors also honored Steve "Monk" Melton, the former Chief of the Kennett Fire Company, and presented him with an honorary plaque, commemorating his 12 years of service.

Sara Meadows of the township's Historic Commission said that the township's history room has been moved to the first floor of the township building, and is currently being organized.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail [email protected].