Dawson council hires part-time police officer
DAWSON – Borough council Monday hired a new part-time police officer to help Police Chief Roger Adams crack down on curfew violations and crime. Christopher Kozlowski of Uniontown will share 45 hours a month with Adams. Adams said Kozlowski, 23, recently graduated from the Lackawanna Police Academy in Scranton at the top of his class.
“I really think Chris will be a plus for the borough,” said Adams. “He’s a good kid and he’s willing to put in the time needed to get this town straightened out.”
Adams told council that he cited four juveniles last week for curfew violations. He also said that teen-agers in town seem to be getting the message that they have to be off the streets by 9:30 p.m.
“I’ve been hard on them for a reason,” said Adams. “People in this town are sick of seeing kids wandering around the streets at all hours of the night.”
Adams said under the law he is required to take first-time offenders home and speak with their parents. However, the second time he catches them out after curfew he cites them.
“The penalty can be up to a $300 fine,” said Adams. “The father of one juvenile I cited this past weekend said his daughter will be required to pay her own fine, and the man guaranteed me that I will not see his daughter in Dawson again.”
Adams said with two police officers in the borough, he has plans to begin traffic stops, various time foot patrol, and to have someone on duty during the weekends in the spring and summer, when most of the vandalism happens.
Council agreed to purchase two duty shirts and a badge for Kozlowski so he can begin work as soon as possible.
Secretary Mary Jane Winterhalter said the police professional liability insurance would not change until the policy is renewed in November.
In other unrelated matters, council continued to discuss a problem surrounding a Galley Street resident that uses a CB radio.
Residents and some council members have complained over the past six months that Earl Huffine’s CB radio transmissions are interfering with their telephone, television, radio and stereo transmissions.
Huffine, who was at Monday’s meeting said, “It’s not my fault. It’s in the airwaves.”
Huffine said he bought a $60 filter to help with the problem, but that’s about all he can do.
“The cable and telephone companies have come out and checked it out and said if people have cheap telephones, radios and stereos, they are going to be able to hear me through them,” said Huffine. “I can’t do anything about it because I’m running legal.”
Councilwoman Phyllis Newill asked Huffine to simply stop using the CB radio out of courtesy to his neighbors.
“You know that people are having a problem with it and yet you continue to do it,” said Newill. “I’ve asked you to stop and so have many other people and yet you continue to use the CB radio.”
Council suggested anyone experiencing problems with the CB transmission coming through their lines should call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 to find out what to do about the problem.
In other matters, council:
n Hired auditors Kathleen Riggin and Karen Hughes at $10 per hour.
n Agreed to give borough worker Mike Swickey a $200 bonus for extra work performed this winter.
n Applied for Liquid Fuels funds in the amount of $10,000. Winterhalter said the money will be used for general maintenance.