From what I've been told, a teacher has been either suspended or placed on leave as well. It's unclear whether those matters are related.
Officer Alestas had been a Big Brother. The Bethlehem Police Department, on its Facebook page stated in 2017 that he was "mentoring" students at Broughal Middle School. "The officers meet with their little brothers/sisters once a week and play sports, help with schoolwork, read or just chat about things going on in their lives."
I realize Alestas is presumed innocent, but this is a bad look for Bethlehem's Police Department, especially during law enforcement week.
There was also a Palmer officer who allegedly had inappropriate contact with a student recently. I hope these guys get the book thrown at them! Serious jail time! It’s really disgusting and undermines a lot of hard work that goes in to building trust in the community. All blown up by a couple of assholes. You let the community you serve and your colleagues down. Disgraceful!
ReplyDeleteNot sure the trust part is broken. I mean a normal person can see they were wrong. Normal people don't paint everyone with a broad brush. I hope they get the help they need.
DeleteThe kids all knew and trusted this officer. My child has told me she is dismayed by this. Now the girls are questioning every interaction they had with this person, wondering if he had ulterior motives. It is 100% a betrayal of trust, and for these young women, it’s absolutely devastating to learn that you can’t trust an adult authority figure.
DeleteBernie not sure where to put this comment. But can you find out why the common practice of Palmer Twp Police for years and years is to not report crime? So I understand they don't want people to know Palmer has crime. Oh lord!! They just had a pursuit of a stolen car Sunday night and the guy ran through people's yard and fences!! They ended up getting him the next day. Where is the report in the paper? What about all the drugs and guns on a weekly basis some officers are getting off the streets. Don't the Twp residents have a right to know what the police dept is doing? I mean I'm pro police but if the Twp has 6 guys working don't you think it would be nice to know what they are doing daily. If you don't put all the crime they are stopping and solving then you start wondering why we need all the police. By not reporting crime they are hurting themselves because residents don't know anything. Is this a board decision or police chief? Thanks Bernie would appreciate you looking into this.
ReplyDeletePalmer police department constantly publishes their arrests, and incidents on both their facebook and website. They’re posting nearly daily of their activities…
DeleteWhat happend to the Express Times and MCALL? That's where all Depts post stuff. Lehigh Valley online?
Delete5:49 His father is a retired State Trooper, and probably has connections to the Baratta Family. Besides sending her pics of his genitalia AND money, he was only charged with 1 count! Disgraceful!
ReplyDelete"Palmer police department constantly publishes their arrests, and incidents on both their facebook and website. They’re posting nearly daily of their activities…"
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Their Facebook page is regularly updated. So the person bitching about them should look a little more at their page, and Palmer police do not run the daily newspapers.
" His father is a retired State Trooper, and probably has connections to the Baratta Family."
I note the use of the word "probably." I find it disgusting when someone makes these kinds of accusations when they are sheer speculation.
Bernie I checked the Palmer Facebook page and the Crimewatch page. So Palmer is not posting even 1/4 of the crime that's taking place. Do you know how many drugs and guns have been seized weekly? Where is that posted? Sorry guys still not posting everything going on. Again I don't mean posting every dog bite or litter complaint. I also like when names of officers actually working are posted. Like to see who is actually doing the job and who is just collecting tax payer funds to sit at HQ!! Police Officers are not just call takers. They also need to be proactive as part of the job. I have personally seen officers write 1 ticket a year!! How is that even possible while making 100k a year?? I back the blue 100% I don't back the lazy!
DeleteBernie I don't know of his connections to the DA at all. But the FACT that his charges were so light and only one charge IS a FACT. Also FACT the person who brought the charges knows, and is friendly with him and his dad. (Both retired troopers). This is FACT. So maybe we can ask some questions about how your tool of the crime is the cell phone and you're not charged with criminal use of a cell phone? Check back 90% of all cases that invlove a cell phone as part of the crime are charged with the cell phone violation. FACT. At least charge him with all his crimes so it does not look so bad. Then plea him out for whatever.
ReplyDeleteThe section you’re talking about, criminal use of a communication facility, requires it to either be a violation of a drug offense or a felony. He was charged with neither. You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.
Delete4:30 Swing and a miss!! You have no idea what you are talking about. He was under charged period. In Pennsylvania, sexting between adults is legal if both parties are involved and do not distribute the images to others without consent. However, if an adult is convicted of sexting to a minor, this could be classified as child pornography and result in a felony, up to ten years in prison, and a $25,000 fine. The convicted adult would also be required to register on SORNA, the national sex offender registry. So add that charge and the cell phone use. Again the under charging to protect him from a life destroying felony is what is taking place here cut and dry. This is simple ..read between the lines.
DeleteI hardly think 6:15 pm was “bitching” and I, too, have wondered the same. With the death of newspapers (I’m old enough to recall the “police blotter” and “court reporter” columns), the community is kept in the dark about many things. It is ignorant for people to think Facebook, X, Instagram are the only ways people get information. I am young enough to have a social media presence, but I also live a life in person, not virtually, so I’m not wasting time online. Just be honest, the media doesn’t want to do its job. This blog is proof of that, as the content informs and the author follows-up on things not often covered in the papers.
ReplyDeleteBernie. Stay on this and ask BPD about the teacher he was friends with that is also on leave. Where are those charges???
ReplyDeleteHow disappointing! I was a student at the school when he became a SRO and everyone had so much respect for him.
ReplyDelete11:53 I agree- where there's "smoke", there's fire. Worth looking into the connections.
ReplyDeleteBernie has more game than sick bastard !
ReplyDelete4:30 PM i wish you would have thrown in a "FACT", but good point nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteIf 4:30 knew what they were talking about, they’d know that an F1 was charged. Crim use com fac was fairly based. And charged. Every appropriate charge was made. And I’m no fan of the current DA, but fair is fair.
ReplyDelete7:12 can you tell me what the Palmer officer was charged with besides corruption of a minor? I'm not speaking of the BC police officer he was charged with using the cell phone.
DeleteSo the Palmer case won't be a big payday for the family. Maybe 200k because he did not violate usc 1983. When a police officer violates that like the Bethlehem officer did the pay day is big. Palmer case they will sue school,police and officer. Will settle low number . Tax payers should be ok. Now Bethlehem case ouch to school,city and the insurance companies. Pretty clear cut 1983 violation. He violated her civil rights and was intimidated and detained under threat. Cash lottery. Palmer case as long as he did not do anything other then the phone stuff, again I did not read the affidavit on that one the court will say she could hang the phone up etc. Plaintiff will use his uniform as a threat etc. To try for 1983 violation. Had either been off duty regular officers absolutely no 1983 color of law violation. Just the criminal end.
ReplyDelete