Charleroi council members talk tough on crime
CHARLEROI — During the council’s monthly meeting Thursday evening, several council members had different takes on the borough’s crime problem.
Council member Frank Paterra feels the Charleroi Regional Police Department is understaffed.
“We need more part-time police to help us fight crime,” said Paterra, at an outdoor meeting in Charleroi’s business district. “We tried to avoid raising taxes but that was wrong. And I think many of the voters would support raising taxes, if that’s what it takes to increase the size of our police force and keep our community safe.”
Paterra also wants to see closer integration between the police, fire and street departments.
“It’s important for these three departments to alert each other when something doesn’t look right,” he said. “We all need to work together if we are going to get rid of these parasites from our community.”
Council President Paul Pivovarnik acknowledged that crime is a growing challenge, but he believes the police department is keeping the problem under control.
“Sure, there’s crime in our town,” he said. “But that’s an epidemic that’s also affecting the other communities in the Mon Valley. I think our officers are doing an outstanding job. We also are seeing some success from our no-tolerance zone.”
As part of the no-tolerance zone policy, the borough has hired a part-time police officer to ride through the business district or walk through some of the neighborhoods during the early evening hours.
“We have budgeted for an officer to patrol the no-tolerance zone for 20 hours a week,” said Pivovarnik. “Having that extra police presence helps to deter crime.”
Currently, the Charleroi Regional Police Department employs eight full-time officers. Pivovarnik estimates that the department also employs about 10 part-time police officers.
Also during the meeting, the council:
n Authorized to advertise Ordinance 1018 of 2017, adopting the International Property Maintenance Code, 2009 edition.
n Nominated council member Edward Bryner to the Regional Police Board.
n Approved a motion to advertise for sanitation bids.
n Selected Mackin Engineering to handle work for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) project. The borough has received a $200,000 LSA grant and a $1 million TAP grant to fund a project to upgrade water and sewer lines in Charleroi.
n Recognized Joe Stimak, who is retiring after working for 25 years as a member of the street department.
In addition, the council announced that Charleroi Community Days will be held on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1, at Charleroi Chamber Plaza. The event will feature music, a Kids Fun Zone, antique and craft show, food booths and fireworks.