Nazareth council has no update on request for more full-time police

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

A decision whether to add more full-timers to the ranks of the Nazareth police force remains in limbo, according to the borough council vice president.

Police Chief Thomas Trachta put in a request for three full-time officers during a police committee meeting July 18. At tonight's council workshop meeting, Vice President Larry Stoudt, who also chairs the police committee, had no update on the officers' hiring status.

"Nothing's been decided," he said.

The department has only two of its six full-time slots filled. But council members and the mayor have also announced they're pursuing a deal with the Colonial Regional Police Department for borough police coverage. Mayor Fred Daugherty earlier this month assured residents the borough will move forward with those plans.

After the meeting, Trachta said he is the only borough police chief in recent years not to have a second in command.

Asked if he thinks few would apply for a full-time job knowing the police department could disband and contract with Colonial Regional police, Trachta said he has a department to run regardless of any negotiations taking place.

“I have to proceed as if we’re not (disbanding),” he said. “I got to keep on asking (for more officers).”

Trachta has said lack of police became an issue during the Nazareth Days festival when a borough official, who wasn’t identified, called the Northampton County dispatch center requesting an officer to deal with illegally parked cars. The call was not returned because one full-time officer was booking a suspect in an assault case at Northampton County Prison and the other was responding to a report of a missing child, Trachta has said.

Resident Becky Butz said during Nazareth Days vehicles were allowed in the circle and there were no officers to direct traffic. She said pedestrians, the elderly and infants in strollers were at risk.

"There were so many close calls," Butz said at Thursday's meeting.

Council President Daniel Chiavaroli said he is aware of the issue and there needs to be a discussion about how to avoid issues next year.

Borough council earlier this month hired part-time officers Ben Rizzotto, a Nazareth resident, and Justin Bickhardt. While Rizzotta has since been sworn in to his new post, Bickhardt turned down the job offer, saying he preferred a full-time opportunity.

The department employs eight part-time officers but Trachta said in a previous interview there is more flexibility with full-time officers because many of the borough’s part-timers work for other police departments.
Trachta also asked borough council to send full-timers for additional firearms training, which would cost $35 for each officer in annual membership fees at the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club. The officers would receive training from the firearms instructor, Nazareth Detective Fred Lahovski.

Council is expected to approve this request during Monday's regular meeting.


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