Statement Regarding DA Stollsteimer’s Presence at 10.10.21 Demonstration at Ridley Police Department
On Sunday evening, demonstrators peacefully protested outside Ridley Township Police Department, after text messages revealed that the department may have purposefully failed to protect an August 2020 Black Lives Matter march from violent, racist counterprotestors. Video and photographic evidence has shown that during the demonstration on Sunday, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer visibly stood by Ridley Township Police. Demonstrators have reported that DA Stollsteimer spoke only to officers and made no effort to address the concerned public who had gathered for the demonstration. When a demonstrator questioned DA Stollsteimer on the message his presence was sending to the community, he simply responded “good.”
The District Attorney is elected to serve the entire Delaware County community. The District Attorney is not elected to exclusively serve the interests of Delaware County police. These revelations may have prompted someone else in DA Stollsteimer’s position to open an investigation into the actions of the Ridley Township Police Department. At the very least, a DA should be expected to act as a neutral public servant and not show overt favoritism to law enforcement who have been credibly accused of serious misconduct.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that DA Stollsteimer has used his position to publicly stand with officers who have committed misconduct and help to help shield them from public criticism. (See a few examples below)
Chester Spirit | Delco FOP official condemned for threatening remarks; later apologized (6/9/2020)
WHYY | How unfulfilled promises of ‘21st-century policing’ are haunting Delco (9/24/2021)
This latest display of poor judgment demonstrates that DA Stollsteimer seems to not only to have forgotten the reforms he promised to bring to the office on the campaign trail, but also to have forgotten what role he was elected to fulfill. We urge DA Stollsteimer to remember his campaign promises, his oath of office, and make urgently needed steps to repair his relationship with the communities he serves.
Signed,
(listed alphabetically)
Sara Atkins, Wynnewood
Mary Austin, Upper Providence Township
Tonita Austin, Upper Providence Township
Betty Bailey, Prospect Park
Denise Bell, Ridley Park
Jesse Brundage, Aston
Jeffrey Bussman, Lansdowne Borough
Maureen Carreno, Glenolden
Lisa Cocchiarale, Parkside
Catherine Coll, Lansdowne Borough
Robert Curran, Glenolden
Joe Davidson, Ridley Township
Helen Davidson, Ridley Township
Jennifer Davis, Upper Providence Township
Ashley Dolceamore, Glenolden
Jane Dunbar, Norwood Borough
Susan Duncan, Upper Providence Township
Liz Dunford, Collingdale Borough
Becky Ferguson, Morton Borough
Aine Fox, Lansdowne Borough
Ashley Garrison, Ridley Township
Knar Gavin, Upper Darby Township
Sonya E. George, Clifton Heights
Dyamond Gibbs, Upper Darby Township
Eric Horst, Haverford Township
Sandra Joy, Folcroft Borough
Colleen Kennedy, Upper Darby Township
John Kirkland, Bristol Township
Geoff Matteson, Ridley Township
Sarah McCafferty, Ardmore
Kyle McIntyre, Upper Darby Township
Laura McLaughlin, Springfield Township
Robert McLaughlin, Ridley Park Borough
Elijah Neal, Upper Darby Township
Owen Powell, Upper Providence Township
Shanay Rowe, Upper Darby Township
Heather Isbell Schumacher, Springfield Township
Steven Sarazin, Prospect Park
Scott Schumacher, Springfield Township
Ina Shea, Springfield Township
Gurleen Singh, Upper Darby Township
Sara Taddei, Springfield Township
Karal Taylor, Upper Darby Township
Jenn Walsh, Upper Providence Township
Peggy Wilson, Upper Darby Township
Last updated: 10/11/2021, 6:33 PM EST
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We will update this list as expeditiously as possible, and we are eager to continue an open dialogue with DA Stollsteimer’s office to foster better communication and relationships with all Delaware County residents.
