Township Police to Staff Additional Officers Sunday Due to Threat of Protest

Additional officers from the Newtown Township Police Department will report for duty Sunday in order to adequately handle a possible protest outside of a military funeral service at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Chief Rick Pasqualini said Tuesday.

Members of Westboro Baptist Church, the Kansas-based church known for protesting homosexuality at military funerals, have announced plans to picket Sunday’s service for Sergeant First Class Kenneth B. Elwell.

Elwell, a resident of Northampton Township and graduate of Council Rock High School North, died in Afghanistan on July 17. He was married to Kristen A. Mirabella Elwell and had two children, Elise and Nickolas.

Pasqualini said he is in the process of advanced planning to address the potential situation and is coordinating with personnel from surrounding police agencies.    

“Additional officers from our department have been scheduled to report for duty,” he said. “They will constantly monitor the situation and are prepared to respond in an appropriate manner.  Protestors will be allowed in the right of way, but will not be allowed to obstruct the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.”

Pennsylvania State Law prohibits demonstrators to come within 500 feet of any military funeral, memorial service, or procession one hour before or after the event. 

The Patriot Guard Riders, a group that attends funerals for fallen soldiers at the request of their families, will also be in attendance. Part of the group’s mission is to “shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors,” according to the Patriot Guard Riders’ website.

The Patriot Guard Riders confirmed Monday they would be present at the service and asked the community to ignore protestors and instead focus on honoring Elwell.