This prediction has been proven accurate.
I delayed writing about this because I had no desire to interfere with the settlement of Officer Fred Lahovski's claim against Nazareth. As reported in The Morning Call, Nazareth is paying him $440,000. Another $60,000 will be paid for a claim brought by Connie McGinness.
While $440,000 is not quite Drop Dead money, it should pay Lahovski's fuel bills this winter. And he will no longer be forced to work in a hostile environment with a Mayor, Borough Council Chief and Deputy Chief out to get him.
Nazareth has also parted ways with part-time police officer Dan Troxell, who is perhaps the dumbest cop I ever saw. He's been paid $0. His antics are responsible for the botched Sticker Gate prosecution. He has also been sued in the wrongful death of Timothy Nixon, a gentle but mentally distressed soul who killed himself when Troxell kicked in the door to his apartment building.Nazareth is trying to pursue an appeal on qualified immunity in the Third Circuit, but it seems unlikely that it will be permitted.
Troxell is no longer on the schedule or roster. For years, Chief Thomas Trachta tried to get him a spot on the force as a full-time officer, but that dream has been dashed.
In the meantime, the police department is still a mess. A police management study performed by the state Department of Community and Economic Development makes very clear that there are too many chiefs. Trachta, Deputy Chief Randy Miller, Borough Council and the Mayor all think they are in charge and overrule each other.
The only solution is to merge Nazareth's police force with Colonial Regional, as should have been done many years ago.
14 comments:
Now we can merge. Guess the Mayor might be off the hook now as well.
Joining Colonial would be the best thing for Nazareth. Anything else that may or may not be going on at another venue is completely independent of this settlement.
What a shame. Randy Miller used to be a damn fine cop.
Bernie - Not saying that it doesn't make sense, but I thought that Colonial wasn't interested in covering the borough because of demands that an officer always be present in town or that they had to hire current borough staff. Has that stance changed at all?
There may be another option. Both Easton and Bethlehem have gone through major lawsuits which resulted in huge payouts. Both of which were fully covered by their police liability coverage because they bought limits which were incredibly low. Having said this, both departments seem to be turning things around. Bethlehem probably being the best example. Nazareth should immediately bring in their loss control engineer from their police liability carrier, and start implementing all suggested changes. Of course, they will want to change. However, if they don't, they will price themselves out of the market and will have no coverage. Which is not acceptable.
Oops. Both lawsuits were NOT fully covered. Sorry, I skipped my coffee this morning.
I also remember reading that Colonial wanted nothing to do with Nazareth.
My understanding is that attitude has changed.
Anonymous coward, if you want to take a cheap shot at a full time officer, you'll have to sign your name.
I heard that Fred was also terminated as a result of his suit. Any credible evidence behind that?
Joining Colonial Regional would be a bad move for Nazareth. Colonial officers are already spread so thin they seldom actually "patrol" they run from call to call to call. It has been rumored that there have been times that there are only 2 officers covering Colonials entire coverage area (Lower Nazareth, Hanover, Bath) Nazareth needs to keep its own department, get rid of Tracta and Miller and start over with a new QUALIFIED chief from outside the department. Also the word on the street is that colonial was not interested in covering Nazareth because they did not want to have to hire Lahovski. Now that he is gone, they may be interested again but I still think Nazareth would have better coverage with their own department, with the right changes of course.
It would be an excellent move, and you are out of your head for even suggesting the opposite. The department could add more officers, and as things stand now, Nazareth's top-heacvy department goes without any coverage except PSP for extended hours. Those opposed to this are worried about losing control. I doubt Nazareth would do this bc it would be smart, but that is the right play.
"I heard that Fred was also terminated as a result of his suit. Any credible evidence behind that?"
No, he was not fired for filing the suit. He did resign as part of the settlement, which was good for him. He had too many enemies there. Randy Miller spends all his time going after full time cops and the chief. The chief spends all of his time digging up dirt on the cops and borough council. The only ones trying to do a job are the cops.
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