Nazareth Borough Council rejects TV in police department

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Nazareth Borough Council has pulled the plug on the television at police headquarters indefinitely.

Councilman Charles Donello, a member of the police committee, made the motion tonight to return service and reconnect cable to the television at police headquarters. Officials last month ordered the service removed after Mayor Fred Daugherty Jr. claimed officers were misusing it.



Donello didn't receive a second to the motion. There was no further discussion.


"No second? Dead issue," he told the public.

Prior to tonight's meeting, police Chief Thomas Trachta said he would continue to press for a television at police headquarters if the motion didn't pass, calling it a necessary learning tool used by officers to stay updated on events that could affect the borough.

"I feel strongly that the department should have a TV readily available," Trachta said. "If they don't want to use the donated TV, then I'll be requesting the purchase of a new television."

Prior to the vote, resident Becky Butz wanted to know the type of cable package the police department had for the television set and said it was her taxpayer dollars paying into it. Council didn't elaborate on the cable package, but advised her the department didn't pay for cable.

"It's still my money," Butz said.

Daugherty has said Trachta went against a direct order by not removing the television, calling it "unauthorized department equipment," and felt it was being misused. The mayor said police vehicles and other vehicles had been parked at the department for extended periods of time.

Trachta has said he rarely was aware of it ever being misused, but didn't know what happened when he left for the evening. He said several area fire and police departments have televisions.


Upper Nazareth, Plainfield Township, Moore Township and Colonial Regional Police departments confirmed today they all have television sets with cable. Plainfield police Chief Dean Ceraul said he was not aware of any department in the area not having a television. About three televisions are used by Colonial Regional for training purposes, Chief Roy Seiple confirmed.

Daugherty previously said at issue wasn't the television itself being at police headquarters, it was not trusting the officers to use their time wisely.

Councilman Mike Kopach said later at tonight's meeting that it's up to council to perform spot checks on the police department. He told the chief to remove the paper cover to the window of the room in which the TV is located.

"That's our responsibility as council to check," Kopach said. "Somebody needs to take the whip here. I think it's time this council gets involved."

Trachta said the mayor has access to the police department and is opposed to taking down the cover because there is confidential information behind it.

"That paper was put there to have victims open up to us so people can speak to us," Trachta said.

Councilman Jack Herbst, who chairs the police committee, said during Thursday's workshop that there were other methods for the department to stay up to date with news, such as the Northampton County 911 Dispatch Center, the Internet and telephone. A projector onto a screen could be used to train officers, he said.

In other action with the police department, council gave the go-ahead for Secretary Paul Kokolus to advertise for additional part-time police officers.


Trachta said prior to the meeting he wanted at least four additional part-time officers hired. He previously received approval for four additional part-time officers, but just one had been hired. The advertisement advises previous applicants that they must submit new applications for consideration and all previously filed applications for part-time police employment and previously approved hires would be rescinded.

"I am happy if we can get more cops so we have more coverage," Trachta said, but noted his goal is to retain more full-time officers. "We need the people."

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