Constable's Defense to Lying to PSP? She Was Framed

Last week, Magisterial District Judge Richard Yetter ordered West Easton Borough Constable Tricia Mezzacappa to answer in county court on charges that she lied to Pennsylvania State Police in a twisted attempt to frame a black man for having threatened her with a gun. She offered no defense at her preliminary hearing. She has has instead attempted to deflect attention away from her own behavior by pointing at others. On the day after her preliminary hearing, however, she claimed she herself is being framed by a state government intent on ridding us of constables. Here's what she said on her nutty Facebook page:

"Today I will be paying respects to Tom Carroll whose father recently passed into heaven. Please pray for Tom , our next Northampton County District Attorney during his time of grief. Additionally, I am praying for my 6 fellow Constables from Monroe, Lehigh, Chester and Northampton who have been rounded up this year, falsely charged and prosecuted, with full vindications and/ or pending charges. Our Commonwealth has defunded the office of Constable, and is trying to eliminate us, one by one through false prosecution. Sadly, but truthfully, I will also be praying for those who have chosen to walk in Satans' path, and harass people when they are grieving for the loss of loved ones."

Alrighty then.

Mezzacappa has been "falsely" charged again, this time with disorderly conduct by the Pennsylvania State Police. On the day before her preliminary hearing, her neighbor's mother-in-law stopped in the early morning to pick up the neighbor for babysitting. Mother-in-law beeped her horn to alert mom and that was all Mezzacappa needed to come flying out of the house and start screaming and using obscenities. The mother-in-law gave it right back, and Mezzacappa began filming. Mom eventually ripped the cell phone out of Mezzacappa's hand. She's been charged with harassment. 

98 Sign Online Petition Seeking Removal of West Easton Constable Tricia Mezzacappa

This was on Mezzacappa's Constable page right after he announced.
She first told a judge this was free speech, then switched and claimed she had been hacked. 

In the wake of criminal charges filed against West Easton Constable Tricia Mezzacappa for false reports to the Pennsylvania State Police, 98 people have signed an online petition seeking her removal. She is alleged to have reported that she was accosted and threatened by a black male, and fired a shot at him. Earlier that evening, she had accosted a black next door neighbor because his car exhaust was too loud, and even began pounding on the neighbor's door. Troopers (four of them) were diverted from protecting the citizenry to investigate what they now believe was a bullshit story.

Here's what some people say:

Kelly Gross (former West Easton Council Prez): "She is a terrible person!"

Marci Lewis: "She certainly does not have the necessary qualifications for Constable. She needs to be removed immediately before she causes more mayhem."

Nichole Bealer (related to man Mezzacappa accosted over exhaust): "tricia mezzacappa should be removed as state constable. Her past record and most recent false accusation made with PSP deem her unfit. REMOVE MEZZACAPPA"

Alexandra Guth: "Constables in Pennsylvania are out of control."

Jenna Martin: "I’m signing because fuck this bitch, pardon my language and all the stress and harassment she caused my sister-in-law and nephews!"

Christopher Jackson: "Harassing people and willfully firing off gun shots in the vicinity of minors based on race or any other factor is injustice and needs to be punished severely."

My favorite:

Josh Fitzgerald: "Inappropriate behavior. Should be above reproach, not act like a cockroach."

Updated 12:20 pm: In addition to being a West Easton Borough Council member, Matt Dees maintains a very informative blog about West Easton. He has posted a link to he criminal complaint and supporting affidavit. Like myself, he declines to name the victims.

W Easton Constable Tried To Railroad Black Father Getting Milk For Baby

Over the weekend, I told you that Tricia Mezzacappa, West Easton's Constable and donor to DA hopeful Tom Carroll, has been charged with making false statements to the Pennsylvania State Police. Yesterday, I reviewed the complaint and Affidavit of Probable Cause prepared by Trooper Drew Hoffman, giving me a good idea of what police say happened.

On February 11, Trooper Hoffman responded to Mezzacappa's next door neighbor, a couple with a newborn infant. This baby needed milk, and dad was dispatched to the Giant to get some. When he started the car, Mezzacappa "appeared out of nowhere and was banging on his driver's side window." Dad said that Mezzacappa was "irate" and yelled at him to "get the F out" because his exhaust was too loud. She also said she'd take him to court.

Dad did as he was told and called Mom. She said that while he was on his way to the grocery, Mezzacappa began banging on Mom's front door "demanding that she get [Dad] out of the neighborhood."

Dad happens to be a black male.

Troopers then interviewed Mezzacappa. She told them that she had been returning home for the night when she was accosted by a black male who "pointed a gun to her head as she exited her vehicle ... ." She told Troopers "she then fired a round from her handgun, and the black male "fled the scene in a vehicle."

Clearly, she was attempting to railroad Dad.

At the request of troopers, Mezzacappa produced the gun she claimed to have fired. It was a Smith and Wesson MP-9, complete with a 17-round magazine. Trooper Hoffman noted that the magazine was full, with no round in he chamber. He indicated that the pistol was incapable of being fired even if the trigger was pulled.

Troopers began the laborious task of looking for a spent shell casing, and were unable to find one.They also conducted "multiple interviews" with neighbors. None heard anything that sounded like a gun being fired. There were also no calls of gunfire to the Belfast barracks.

Mezzacappa voluntarily relinquished her handgun, which was sent to a state police regional lab for testing. Dirt and debris were noted at the muzzle inside the barrel, but after one shot the dirt and debris were gone. Based on this and other tests, state police concluded that the weapon was never fired at the time and place Mezzacappa said it was.

Instead of charging Dad, as Mezzacappa had hoped, she is now a criminal Defendant. This is a third degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled July 22, 9:30 am, before Magisterial District Judge Richard Yetter. She is represented by distinguished Allentown Attorney John Waldron.

Several years ago, Mezzacappa had complained to police about another next door neighbor because a cabbie had beeped his horn when he stopped to pick her up.

At that time, West Easton was served by the Easton Police Department. According to a report prepared by  Easton Patrolman Charles McConagle, Mezzacappa complained to him that her neighbors, who happened to be black, "should have stayed in the projects."

Officer McConagle spoke to the neighbors about this incident, learning that Mezzacappa had told one of them to "take your black ass back to Philadelphia." Mezzacappa also used the word "niggers," and the Easton cabbie later told the patrolman that he heard her use this term, too.

In addition to examining court documents, I filed a Right-to-Know with West Easton for any correspondence from or by Mezzacappa during this time. I received a copy of an email she sent a few days before to the Borough's Emergency Management Coordinator. He made the mistake of knocking on her door to warn of a snow emergency. She complained he "was banging my door down, like a hysterical drug addict in need of cash for his next fix. Last time a drug addicted addict [sic] appeared on my porch doing same, he was greeted with a semi automatic rifle." .

He's white, so she just threatened him.

An online petition seeking her removal as a Constable already has 50 signatures. Unfortunately, thee is no mechanism for removing her except impeachment or conviction of an infamous crime. She could be required ti resign in any plea deal she reaches with prosecutors.

Updated 2:20 pm:  Mezzacappa's preliminary hearing has been continued again. It is now scheduled for Wednesday, August 28, 1 pm. before Magisterial District Judge Richard Yetter in Wilson Borough.

May a Constable Peer Into Your Windows?

May a Constable peer into your windows? Can he be videotaped while speaking to someone? According to Northampton County's Constable Review Board, the answer to both of these questions appears to be Yes.

On Friday afternoon, Northampton County's Constable Review Board convened on a complaint brought Glenn Brown against Constable Stanley Smith, who has served in that capacity for the past 27 years. Brown lives on a secluded tract located off Ridge Road in Upper Mount Bethel Tp. He said he likes his privacy. He is surrounded by farmland and other secluded homes. In fact, to reach his home, you have to travel several hundred feet along a driveway.

On July 18, at around 11 am, he was sitting in his kitchen in his underwear, and claims his wife was wearing even less. He heard a knock on his door, and that was his first encounter with Constable Stanley Smith. Smith, who was fully uniformed, was trying to serve papers in a civil matter against Kyle Brown, Glenn Brown's son. Glenn Brown refused to accept the papers. He said he and his son were estranged.

After Smith left, Brown reviewed his security footage and determined that Smith had been looking through a plate glass window on his front door. He demonstrated via video that if you are very close when looking inside, you can see the inside of the house.

Smith returned later that day or the next, and was accosted by Brown, who carried a cellphone and was videotaping the conversation.

He told Smith that his son lives in New Jersey and they are estranged. "I don't want to be bothered, that's why I live up there," said Brown. "You're not allowed to look in my window. Get off my f---ing property and don't come back, you f---ing pervert."

Although Smith was trying to remain cordial, it was difficult for him to say anything in that second encounter, in which he was instructed to leave.

He told the Constable Review Board that, during his first visit, he did ring a doorbell, knock and look through the plate glass window at the front door, but not through any of the side windows he was trying to determine if anyone was home, and said he saw nothing. He said he tries to be low key. he came back a second time because the son might have stopped by or there might be someone else who could give him information to enable him to serve the papers.

Brown insisted that his privacy had been violated and read Pennsylvania's invasion of privacy statute into the record. Although that statute contains an exception for law enforcement personnel, Brown said he applies only if the officer is conducting a lawful criminal investigation. He argued that service of papers in a civil matter is not a lawful criminal investigation.

Constable Kevin Spano, himself a former Bethlehem police officer, set Brown straight. "We are actually trained to look into a window," he said. He said they do it to see if there might be a weapon or gun or "for the unknown."

Constable Smith was in a place where he had a right to be. He was attempting to serve a civil complaint listing a defendant at the address he visited. The door included a plate glass window.

Spano asked Smith to explain how many times a constable attempts to serve a complaint. Smith said they get paid $13 to attempt to serve papers, regardless of the number of efforts or whether they are successful. He added that the unwritten rule is three attempts, but it always depends on the circumstances. In this case, he was directed to stop after his second attempt.

As for the video that Brown took of the second encounter, the Constable Review Board accepted it because Brown had the camera pointed right at Constable Smith. He had no justifiable expectation of privacy.

From here this matter will go to President Judge Michael Koury, Jr. 

What are constables?

Constables are elected officials who serve six-year terms. Their primary role is service of minor arrest warrants and other legal process for the Magisterial District Courts, such as eviction notices, and prisoner transport. They are required to maintain order at the polls on election day.

Though it is a Constitutional office that have existed in Pennsylvania since 1664, the constable system has been criticized as one that is open to abuse by armed officers who have minimal training and no oversight. As a result, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court adopted standards in 2013 designed to professionalize them To be certified, they must undergo 40 hours of training every year, including 20 hours of firearms training.

Northampton County has 37 certified constables, including Smith.

What is the Constable Review Board?

Established in 2016, Northampton County's Constable Review Boards provides some oversight of constables and helps resolve citizen complaints. This Board includes the following: Judge Sam Murray, Judge jennifer Sletvold, Magisterial District Judge Dan Corpora, Constable Kevin Spano, Sheriff Rich Johnston, Controller Richard "Bucky" Szulborski, Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron and Magisterial District Court Administrator Debbie French.

For complaints that might result in the suspension or termination of a constable, the Review Board is required to interview the complainant, constable and all other relevant witnesses. The Board must report any suspected criminal activity to the District Attorney. After completing interviews, it makes a recommendation to the President Judge, who is the ultimate authority on a constable's continued work in Northampton County.

Constable Review Board Clears, But Admonishes, Forks Tp Constable

Gordon Crowell in 2014. You can add a beard today.

Forks Tp Constable Gordon Crowell, Jr. has been cleared by county officials of allegations that he misrepresented himself on three different occasions as a Forks Tp. police officer and undercover detective. A constable review board conducted interviews July 13 in response to a complaint filed by Forks Tp Detective Philomena Kelly. On July 24, President Judge Michael Koury, Jr., adopted the review board's recommendation that the complaint be dismissed, but admonishing Crowell against making any statements to the community that could be construed as suggesting that he is a police officer. He was also instructed that his interactions with court staff must be professional and free of any language that could be considered demeaning to women.

Crowell was accused of misrepresenting himself as a police officer on three separate occasions. In a 2017 incident, he had a dispute with a flagman who was directing traffic in Forks Township, and is alleged to have threatened to throw  the road worker in jail. More recently, in May, he had another encounter with a person whose vehicle almost collided with his as he backed into his driveway. He followed and caught up with this driver, and allegedly told her he was a Forks Tp police officer and undercover detective. He also allegedly made the same misrepresentation to Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Taschner's staff.

Forks Township Detective Philomena Kelly recounted these events from several police reports as well as her own investigation. But she was unaware that the Board wanted to hear from the actual victims as well to assess their credibility. This doomed the complaint.

Despite the absence of victims, the Board seemed concerned about Crowell's statements to Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Taschner's staff.  But it decided against any action because Judge Taschner stopped giving him work. "[W]hatever level of violation was committed by Constabe Crowell, Judge Taschner took appropriate and reasonable steps to terminate the behavior and sanction the offender."

Basically, the Board cleared Crowell, but told him not to do it again.

The Constable Review Board includes the following: Judge Baratta, Magisterial District Judge Dan Corpora, Constable Kevin Spano, Acting Sheriff Rich Johnston, Controller Richard "Bucky" Szulborski, Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron and Magisterial District Court Administrator Debbie French.

Crowell has steadfastly denied the allegations of misconduct. he was represented by Allentown Attorney Ron Clever.

Forks Tp Constable in Hot Water With Review Board

Gordon Crowell in 2014. You can add a beard today.

Forks Tp Constable Gordon Crowell, Jr. is facing a serious inquiry by county officials based on allegations that he misrepresented himself on three different occasions as a Forks Tp. police officer and undercover detective. A constable review board established by former President Judge Stephen Baratta conducted interviews yesterday in response to a complaint filed by Forks Tp Detective Philomena Kelly.

What are constables?

Constables are elected officials who serve six-year terms. Their primary role is service of minor arrest warrants and other legal process for the Magisterial District Courts, such as eviction notices, and prisoner transport. They are required to maintain order at the polls on election day.

Though it is a Constitutional office that have existed in Pennsylvania since 1664, the constable system has been criticized as one that is open to abuse by armed officers who have minimal training and no oversight. As a result, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court adopted standards in 2013 designed to professionalize them  To be certified, they must undergo 40 hours of training every year, including 20 hours of firearms training.

Northampton County has 37 certified constables, including Crowell.

What is the Constable Review Board?

Part of these standards also include the establishment of  Constable Review Boards in each county to provide some oversight. In Northampton County, this Board includes the following: Judge Baratta, Magisterial District Judge Dan Corpora, Constable Kevin Spano, Acting Sheriff Rich Johnston, Controller Richard "Bucky" Szulborski, Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron and Magisterial District Court Administrator Debbie French.

For complaints that might result in the suspension or termination of a constable, the Review Board is required to interview the complainant, constable and all other relevant witnesses. The Board must report any suspected criminal activity to the District Attorney. After completing interviews, it makes a recommendation to the President Judge, who is the ultimate authority on a constable's continued work in Northampton County.

Who is Constable Gordon Crowell, Jr? 

Crowell, a former security officer for the Allentown School District, was elected constable in 2014. He also provides security or traffic control at Notre Dame Green Pond High School. He is the Treasurer of the Pa. Fraternal Order of Constables. Ron Clever, who is their Solicitor, is representing Crowell. 

Crowell and the Flagman

In 2017, there was a great deal of road work being done all summer in Forks Towsnhip, on Sullivan Trail and other roads. Ten and fifteen minute waits were common, and Detective Kelly observed that it even affected police officers. It was during one of these waits that Crowell and a flagman had an altercation in which the flagman decided to call police.

According to Kelly, the flagman was approached by Crowell, who had been waiting in traffic with his wife. Police reports indicate that Crowell became unruly and said he would have the flagman thrown in jail. He warned the flagman he would be working later that night and that he would be calling "my captain."  Parts of this conversation could be heard on a 911 tape. Kelly said that she never heard Crowell identify himself as a police officer, but did hear him say "my captain." Based on this and he flagman's statement, she believed that Crowell had insinuated he was a police officer. Later that evening, Crowell admitted to Forks Tp police officers that he had said "my captain."

Crowell testified that he was waiting in line with his wife, and people were getting unruly and beeping their horns. He decided to approach the flagman and ask him if he needed help, identifying himself as a constable. He noticed that the flagman was texting someone from his phone instead of monitoring traffic. He said that flagman responded, "Shut the  f--- up, you rent-a-cop! Get back in the car!" He denies he threatened to throw the flagman in jail.

Crowell and the near accident 

In May of this year, Crowell was backing his car into his driveway on Sullivan Trail, a very busy road, and was very nearly clipped by a female as she was on her way to Weiss food store. She admitted that she threw her hands up at the near collision, but continued. When she reached the traffic light to turn into Weiss, Crowell pulled alongside her. He told this motorist that he was a police officer and undercover detective. When she asked for his badge number, he said it was B4119. This is actually Crowell's constable certification number. The driver reported this incident to police.

According to Crowell, the woman screamed at him after nearly hitting him as he attempted to back into his driveway. She yelled, "You f---ing cops think you can do anything you want! You're going to kill somebody!" She also gave him the finger.

Though he was backing into his driveway to park his car, Crowell suddenly realized that he needed to pick up his mail, and pulled out and was behind this woman. He admits they exchanged words at the light, but denies he misrepresented himself as a police officer.

Later that night, Crowell testified he was visited twice by "aggressive" Forks Tp police officers. The second visit was after he had gone to sleep. Since he had taken a sleep aid, he is unable to remember what he said.

Crowell and Magisterial District Judge Taschner

In the course of her typically thorough approach, Detective Kelly visited Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Taschner and her staff.  Detective Kelly learned that Judge Taschner had stopped using Crowell because of his unprofessional behavior to her staff. She also learned that Crowell had told her staff that he was working under cover for the Forks Tp Police Department.

Crowell admitted that he no longer works for Judge Taschner, but that was his own decision because he was too busy. He denied telling staff members that he was working under cover for Forks Police or behaving unprofessionally. He was corroborated by Constable Jon Whittington. "I would not have allowed it," he said.

Light Bar

Kelly indicated that she also had received reports that Crowell had used a light bar on his vehicle with illegal red and blue lights. When Attorney Clever queried her about It, she produced a picture. She said he was never cited for this violation because she never noticed it.

Crowell indicated that the red and blue light bar on his vehicle is gone.

Why No Criminal charges?

Either Barron or Szulborski asked Kelly why she never filed criminal charges against Crowell for impersonating a police officer. She explained that some elements were missing.

Impersonating a police officer requires proof that someone pretended to be a police officer. It also requires proof that the pretense is intended to cause the person who is fooled into performing some action to his or her detriment.

Interviews to Continue

More interviews are expected at a later date.

The Pope of Blogging Blows a Call

From time to time, I've been disparagingly called the Pope of Blogging. True, like most geniuses, I can be a snotty know-it-all. But as most of you know, I'm no rocket scientist. When I start getting on my high hoorse, it never takes long before one of you pops my balloon.

I screwed up last week in my post about constables, and have to set the record straight. Fortunately, I was not speaking ex cathedra.

I correctly told you they cost counties money. When indigent Defendants are unable to pay the costs associated with serving a warrant, the county does foot the bill.

But I went too far when I reported that in 2007, Northampton County taxpayers shelled out nearly a million dollars in constable fees that they will never get back. The actual figure is closer to $300,000. I forgot that the 1099s sent out by the county includes payments made by Defendants that are passed through the county. One of my readers, who apparently does know what he's talking about, properly took me to task.

"I believe an update to your post is needed once you check Northampton County’s 2007 budget. You have definitely not stated the facts as your column indicates. You have used inaccurate information to support your viewpoint. In the future, please learn and understand the process of how something is calculated before you claim, 'Here are the facts'."

This reader is right and I am wrong. I apologize to everyone for misleading them. Next time, I'll be more sneaky.

Constables Cost Counties Money

Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham has proposed that deputy sheriffs assume the role of constables in collecting unpaid parking tickets in Allentown. President Judge Bill Platt, no friend of Cunningham, can see the savings. ''This is not anti-constable. This is pro-taxpayer.''

Naturally, blogger Michael Molovinsky scoffs at the very notion, deriding Cunningham as "a little Eddie Rendell in training pant" and as "Don Bureaucrat Cunningham." Lehigh County Exec candidate Scott Ott also questions the idea, minus the vitriol. "[I]t seems like common sense to use contractors who charge only for results, rather than to bring that task in house and assume the ongoing care and feeding, nursing and retirement of full-time government employees."

Here are the facts. Constables cost counties money. When indigent Defendants are unable to pay the costs associated with serving a warrant, the county foots the bill. In 2007, for example, Northampton County taxpayers shelled out nearly a million dollars in constable fees that they will never get back. This is in addition to fees that constables collect from defendants who have the means to pay. Cunningham's proposal will spare taxpayers that expense while simultaneously making them the beneficiaries of fees that defendants can afford. It is innovative fiscal management, demonstrating precisely why he belongs at the helm.

In addition to these financial reasons, there's another concern. Constables, who are independent contractors with no oversight, sometimes lack the training demanded by the job. This point was driven home by a reader who had a bad experience on Monday night.

"I rent a townhouse at [redacted] in Bethlehem, PA. Last night while making dinner we received a knock at the door. My roommate and I secured the dogs by putting them downstairs and he answered the door, I hung back but was interested to see who it was. The gentleman at the door was a large black man with a shaved head wearing a large, visible pistol on the front of his belt. Apparently this man was a constable, we didn’t know because he failed to identify himself. He was looking for our landlord, who someone had filed a civil complaint against because he hadn’t paid a bill. The constable asked for our landlord by name, was told he didn’t live there and he sneered in disbelief. He then demanded to know who we were, sneering again in disbelief when we told him. He continued to stand in our doorway, never telling us who he was or why he was there until he produced a paper and said 'you better make sure he gets this.'

"This man clearly had the intent of trying to intimidate us. He never identified himself or had anything on him that would have led us to assume he was a lawman of any kind. He was confrontational and menacing all in the name of serving a warrant for an unpaid bill for someone that doesn’t live there.

"I don’t think this is the kind of thing a person should have to endure. When someone shows up at your front door wearing a weapon and trying to intimidate you he should immediately identify himself.

"Anyway, I wanted to file a complaint against this guy but everyone I call seems to have the perfect excuse for not doing anything about it because I couldn’t give them his name. I don’t know it and it was no where on the paperwork he gave us to pass on to our landlord. I was hoping you could point me in the right direction and maybe even give me this man’s name. "

"I greatly appreciate any help you can give, no one deserves to be treated like that in their own home."

I was able to get the name of this constable, but there's still a problem. My reader tells me this constable is black, but this person is white. When I sort things out, I'll let you know.

A Day in the Life of a Constable

Nearly a month ago, I posted a blog about the little known world of the constable, Pennsylvania's very own bounty hunters. What surprised me most was how well some are paid. In 2007, Constable Frederick Schoenenberg raked in a cool $131,175.26, just from Northampton County.

I've just heard from Constable Schoenenberger. Fortunately, he had no parking ticket warrant. But he explains his job below, and it's not as easy as it looks.

Hello everyone, my name is Frederick Schoenenberger, one of the constables listed in Mr. O'hare's article and point of interest due to the amount of money the county has paid me.

I felt compelled to write and explain some details and specifics in respect to constables and our jobs. Good and bad points.

Yes, it is true we can make a great deal of money, set our own hours and work with little to no supervision. We are trusted to look and act professionally, respect people, obey and follow the law and uphold people's rights and liberties.

I can say with pretty precise certainty that the constables around here follow these standards. Constables in general do their jobs without notice most of the time.

The only time a constable is brought up usually is when something that the papers feel is bad. I say "feel" because this always isn't the truth and the paper will report what it wants and what it thinks will sell newspapers.

As you can see most of us around here and myself included make what most consider a ton of money.

The average person fails to realize just the amount of people/dockets we arrest or clear to make that kind of money.

For that $131,000 the county paid me I can tell you I made them close or over a million dollars for that. We are making the municipalities, state and county a fortune.

Since our fees are paid for by defendants or plaintiffs in civil cases, we are no cost to the taxpayers. We are really the only self sustained law enforcement that does not derive any money from the taxpayers! What county or state office can say that?

Now you say...."What happens if the defendant goes to jail or has no money, who pays you then?? The Taxpayers??"

Well, sorta but not really because the counties have this already planned.....for every docket that is issued or we collect on a $15.50 fee is added to it for the county to go into a fund....this money is then used to pay us if the defendant has no money.

So how big is this "Fund".....Just ask, it's a ton! Just think about all the dockets that clear in the entire county in a year and x that by $15.50!!

Any idea how many dockets I had to clear to make $131,000???? I cleared almost 6k worth!! now multiply that by $15.50??

That's just me, one constable!

Ok, so now we cleared that we are not funded by taxes so you say we are still making a ton of money.

Not so fast there buddy!

The office of constable is elected and since we receive no money for our office guess who pays for EVERYTHING?? Ding, Ding, Ding.....We do!! We get no benefits of any kind, no disability, major medical, dental...nothing!! Zilch, nada...nothing!

Again, we have to pay for everything! This means...

My car.....I have gone through 3 in my 6 year term.....can't buy new, it gets killed into the ground in a year or two. The cost just to maintain and service a car is several thousand a year and that does not include gas or insurance. We can't get a new car warranty because we are using the car for commercial purposes and the warranty doesn't cover it. So I have to set aside money to pay for a car "cash" every few years.

Any idea how many miles we put on a car in a year??? Just a hint we could go easily through a new car 36,000 mile warranty in a year's time.

I spent almost 20k last year on gas and another 3k on maintaining it.

Regular car insurance?? Nope, I wish....we are transporting prisoners and using the car in a business manner, my insurance is 3 times what a normal person would pay in a year.

How bout liability insurances, professional and umbrella?? Yep, tack on a grand or so there a year.

I spend a few thousand on postage a year....I as well as any other constable I know always sends a letter first.

And yes, that's thousands a year on postage!

Now let's talk cell phones, hmmm...just paid my bill 2 days ago....$523.00 a month! This includes 2 phones and a wireless air card. Ok, why 2 phones??

Well, I shut 1 (my primary) off at 10pm otherwise defendants will call at all hours of the night...Yes I field calls well into the evening when most people get home from work...we never really stop working.

The other phone or phone number 2 is on at all times and when it rings it is a police department or communications center.

The wireless card is used in the vehicle for Internet and to run people for other warrants.

Ok, now lets talk offices....mine takes my entire basement, I need fax machines, desks for warrants, laser printers. I spend a good thousand every month on supplies.

My Internet has to be a business line and is $89.00 a month (I wish $17.99 a month!!). I need a stactic IP address to access Law Enforcement only database skiptracing services which then run me another $425.00 a month just to find people (you don't think they are always at the address on the warrant do you?)

My business overhead just to run my office is a few thousand a month. Heck when gas was creeping close to $5 a gallon I was spending 1600-2000 a month just on gas to drive around!!!

As you can see if you take what I earn and deduct business expenses and ahhh..don't forget uncle sam (taxes), you can now see I earn a modest living.

That is why most constables who earn 6 figures a year would jump to be DJ....the money is more then making those 6 figures because we have to buy everything!

If I was DJ earning 78k a year that would in reality be more then my 131k now.

As for the hours I work 9 hours each day. Sometimes I am up before the crack of dawn to catch the really hard ones who just won't reply no matter what. There are times I am into the night or work night hours as well. I also average 15 - 20 hours of office a week and at the end of the week, if there really is one, I am working about 70 hours a week with this job. Oh, did I forget to mention all the phone calls all the time??

Don't construe this to me griping, I love this job, the freedom and just the profession but I wanted to clarify a few things for most that don't know how it really is.

You see these big paychecks but don't really know what we have to go through to make that kind of money.

Truthfully, most constable do not make what myself or Josh Wagner make because we are workaholics.

I love my job so I don't consider it work, if that makes any sense?

As far as new constables go ... go ahead, run, get elected and spend 20 grand on a vehicle and equipment, get all those insurances, shine those shoes and that fresh duty belt and guess what??

You aren't going to get work as a new constable!! That's right, it's not a guarantee that you get work. Nope, around here good luck.

Every judge has a constable and if that constable leaves there is another constable like myself to take over and you can bet the judge isn't going to hire a new guy with no experience or reputation.

So now you wasted all this time (academy...yes 80hrs but now add 40 for firearms and another 30 for intermediate weapons and you've got some time invested) Money and you got no work.

Welcome to being a constable!!

I think I'll stick to title searching. For excitment, I'll blog. My thanks to Constable Schoenenberger.

Wanted: Bounty Hunters

Economy got you down, bippy? Laid off? Reduced hours? Well, I've got just the job for you. Unlike those boring brain surgeon and rocket scientist openings, this one requires no education or experience. If you hustle, you can make more money doing this than most Lehigh Valley attorneys see in a year. Best of all, you name your own hours and can still be an idiot.

No, I'm not talking about mayor or county executive.

Chances are, you've probably seen one or two over the years, tooling down the street in a converted cop cruiser. Sometimes, they wear improvised swat team uniforms, size XXXXL. A few even deck themselves out just like state troopers, right down to the Smokey Bear hat. But that size XXXXL uniform gives them away. If you're thinking Mall Cop, you're close. I'm talking about Pennsylvania's very own bounty hunters - the constable.

As a matter of full disclosure, I'm on a first name basis with several of these dudes. I've even driven in the back of some of their converted cruisers. You see, I accumulate parking tickets so often I really should look into a "frequent offender" discount. Now that I'm an old fart, they usually just call me.

An ancient office, constables have existed since the time of Edward Longshanks, not to be confused with Edwin of Renaissance Square. During the American Revolution, they were called "chief guardians of the peace." These days, they mostly serve warrants for outstanding parking tickets.

Unlike most peace officers, constables are elected to six-year terms. Once they complete their 80 hours of training and file proof they have liability insurance, their jurisdiction is statewide. A constable elected in Nazareth, for example, can spend his time serving warrants in Milford if he's pals with the magistrate there.

Before you sneer at the idea of serving papers, consider this. In 2007, Constable Frederick Schoenenberg raked in a cool $131,175.26, just from Northampton County. It's conceivable he made even more money doing work for magistrates in other counties. After control over constable payments was switched from court administrator to county fiscal affairs in 2007 to comply with some ruling from the state supremes, constable costs skyrocketed 75%, which drew the attention of Controller Steve Barron. Most constables appear to view the job as strictly part time, but some of them make a lot of money. Joshua Wagner, a hustler, was paid $99,257.88, just in Northampton County. The constable who usually arrests me, Stan Smith, was paid $77,293.33. Considering that a magistrate is paid $78,722, that's pretty good money.

Below you will see a list of Northampton County's payments to twenty-seven constables in 2007. Remember, these are just the payments from one county. I've linked their names to their ethics statements. Because constables are subject to very little oversight, both the state Supreme Court and state rep. Tom Caltagirone are considering reforms.

Peter Cochran - $14,757.95
(Easton Fire Department)

Tyrone J Comunale - $28,091.77
(works in six different magisterial districts throughout several counties)

James P. Doyle - $53,308.25
(serves Bethlehem's 14th ward, the Lehigh County Sheriff's Office and LTriC)

David Enstrom - $8,039.15
(serves Bethlehem's 9th ward, and is a cop with Upper Nazareth and at the Airport)

Shawn Fariello - $6,235.00
(Shawn is also an Easton area paramedic who can resuscitate you if you keel over after being served with a warrant)

Christopher Fenner - $16,860.25
(A Bethlehem city worker who moonlights serving warrants in Lower Saucon Tp)

Lamar Fronheiser - $1,771.20
(This dude is from Palmerton, and probably is out trapping beaver or something right now)

Paul Gilmore - $7,793.34
(Pen Argyl constable who works in Horsham)

Jonathan Hagenbuch - $49,085.46
(A Forks Tp constable who works full-time for Palmer Township)

Denise Halupka - $6,471.75
(Denise is actually a deputy constable who works full-time for the county).

Scott Hough - $65,820.42
(Hough is currently suing Northampton County for injuries sustained going after an escaped prisoner, the job he was elected to do. Good luck with that one, Scott.)

Ronald Kummer, Sr. - $39,915.37
(Ronald is another deputy constable. His turf is Easton)

William Kummer - $89,928.21
(William makes a living at it in Easton, and the pay's better than a magistrate!)

Walter Marinkovits - $9,103.43
(For reasons unknown, this Northampton resident calls himself "constable custodian." Maybe he takes out the garbage when he arrests someone)

Darden Napolitano - $67,796.41
(Business must be booming in Freemansburg. Just wait 'till there's a casino!)

Robert L Pepe - $14,878.38
(A Wind Gap cop, Pepe could make more money if he were more peppy)

Frederick Schoeneberger - $131,175.26
(This dude is cleaning up in Wilson Borough. Must be those damn meters by St. Luke's)

Richard Seeds - $43,670.52
(A Bethlehem Township constable, I'll have to tell Richard all the nasty things Lamont McClure has been saying about him)

Charles Seyfried - $42,416.65
(Charles, who works out of Bethlehem, actually typed his ethics statement)

David Sheats - $53,198.35
(A Lehigh Township constable who works for the City of Bethlehem. Do you give a sheat?)

Willard Sigley, Jr. - $39,019.16
(Elected in Lower Nazareth, Willard works both counties)

Stan Smith - $77,293.33
(Rumors that Stan once hog-tied me and walked away laughing are greatly exaggerated. He just smiled)

Paul Soldridge - $5,168.25
(Paul works mostly out of Coplay)

James Soldridge - $3,902.20
(James works out of North Whitehall Tp)

Joshua Wagner - $99,257.58
(This Bethlehem constable has to be in love with parking meters)

Adam Wood - $922.10
(Dude, why bother?)

James Wood- $21,639.68
(Woody is also an "attendance officer" for Easton schools.)Update: The Morning Call reports that Constable Joshua Wagner (paid $99,257.58 in 2007) is seeking the $78,722 seat currently occupied by His Most Majestic Mightiness, the Honorable James F. Stocklas I, who has dispensed justice in North Bethlehem for thirty years. Judge Stocklas, before whom I've appeared as an unfortunate and wrongly accused parking meter defendant on multiple occasions over the years, never fell for my bullshit about Canadian quarters. He'll be a tough act to follow.