If you report a fender-bender or a stolen bike in Lititz, you may get a text message from the police department afterward. That message comes through PowerEngage, a community engagement platform the Lititz Borough Police Department uses to keep residents informed and to measure how well it is serving them. Police Chief Jared Hahn has said Lititz was the first agency in Pennsylvania to deploy it.
The department recently reminded residents about the program in an announcement on its Crimewatch page, which local outlets including Ephrata Now reported on Oct. 19, 2026.
What PowerEngage is
PowerEngage is software from PowerDMS, part of the government software company NEOGOV. According to the department’s announcement, it uses text messaging to reach people who have recently reported or been involved in non-life-threatening incidents, so officers can deliver information, case updates and important notifications.
It also sends a short text-based satisfaction survey to people who have interacted with officers. “The value of this software will be seen through the community insights into areas where we can improve our level of service while also providing a mechanism to boost Officer morale when positive responses are provided,” Det. Sgt. Stephen Detz said in the announcement. Positive feedback has been displayed in the department’s workspace to recognize officers.
The system connects with the department’s records software, so messages can be tied to a specific call or report rather than sent at random.
Why departments use it
Police agencies have long struggled to measure how residents feel about the service they receive. Traditional measures, such as response times and case clearance rates, say little about whether a caller felt heard or treated fairly. Feedback platforms are meant to fill that gap with direct, timely input.
For a small department like Lititz, which serves a borough of about 9,000 residents, regular feedback can also help with training and recognition. Officers who receive positive comments can be recognized, and recurring concerns can be addressed through policy or supervision.
What residents can expect
If you contact Lititz police, you may receive a text message afterward asking about your experience. A few points to keep in mind:
- Messages come by text. The survey is usually short, a few questions answered by tapping a number or typing a reply.
- Responses are optional. You do not have to respond, and choosing not to will not affect your service.
- Be cautious with links. As with any text message, if you are unsure whether a message is genuine, call the department to confirm before clicking a link.
- It is not for emergencies. In an emergency, call 911. Do not use a survey reply to report a crime in progress.
How to reach the department
The Lititz Borough Police Department’s non-emergency number is 717-626-6393. Questions about PowerEngage can be directed to Det. Sgt. Detz through the department.
Residents can also follow the department’s announcements on its official social media pages and the borough’s website.
Part of a broader community push
The reminder comes during a busy fall for the borough. Paid street parking using ParkMobile went live in late September, and council has discussed a planned e-bike ordinance and new four-way stops. Read our coverage: Lititz Paid Parking Goes Live on ParkMobile.
Departments that adopt feedback tools often report the results publicly over time. We will report on what the department learns as the program matures.
Honest answers, positive or critical, are what make a survey like this useful, so residents who receive one are encouraged to take a minute to reply.
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