Council Approves Firing of Nazareth Officer Fred Lahovski
Nazareth Borough Council unanimously -- and without discussion -- approves a motion Tuesday night to fire Officer Fred Lahovski.
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Nazareth Borough Council unanimously approved a motion Tuesday night to remove Officer Fred Lahovski from the borough Police Department.
According to the motion -- made by Councilman Michael Kopach and seconded by Councilman Jack Herbst -- the borough has exercised its authority under Section 1121(a)(2) of the Borough Code that gives council the power to remove any borough police officer.
There was no discussion before or after the vote.
With the removal of Lahovski, who did not attend Tuesday's meeting, the borough is down to two full-time officers.
Two of the four part-time police officers hired in July are on the job, according to Police Chief Thomas Trachta. However, Council approved a motion Tuesday night to terminate the hiring process for Ray Mead because the time to complete the process had run out.
Trachta continues to request the hiring of three full-time officers. At a workshop meeting Thursday night, Herbst said that "isn't going to happen right now." That was the end of the discussion.
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The Nazareth Borough Police Association in July filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the borough. The complaint claims retaliation against the union was behind the recent suspensions and demotion of Lahovski, a five-year member of Nazareth's department.
At the recommendation of Mayor Fred Daugherty Jr., Police Chief Thomas Trachta informed Lahovski of his demotion from detective to patrolman on March 17. No reason, however, was given for the termination, according to the complaint.
Lahovski, who is also the part-time police chief in Forty Fort, Luzerne County, then received a 10-day suspension without pay in May after receiving two disciplinary notices. According to a report in The Express-Times, one notice concerned his handling of an arrest in October, the second concerned his ordering of fingerprinting equipment without council's approval.
Lahovski's suspension, which was scheduled to end Aug. 6, was extended to Aug. 22 without pay.
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Nazareth Borough Council Meeting
March 5, 2012 / April 2, 2012 / May 7, 2012 / June 4, 2012 / July 2, 2012 / August 6, 2012 / September 4, 2012 / October 1, 2012 / November 5, 2012 / December 3, 2012 at 7:00 pm -
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Cheryl ALmer Oblick
10:02 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I am sorry but this whole subject of the police department and the Mayor is getting old! So now Nazareth residents only have 2 full time officers, is one of those full time officers the Chief? This whole issue has caused the crime rate to go up in Nazareth, thats why there was a mugging behind someones house last week. I am sorry Nazareth council and Mr. Mayor I think its about time you get your priorities straight and that is having an adequate police force. If not then I think it is high time we Nazareth citizens excercise our right to question the Mayor and council and hold them accountable, don't know if impeachment has ever been done to a mayor but maybe it should be done to both council and the mayor.
Eric Harding
10:58 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
They are doing this to push their agenda on you! They want Colonial Regional and that is that. They will stop at nothing until they get their way. Something must be done about this now!
Wayne Schissler
10:24 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
So... not only is there no discussion before or after the firing but a request for hiring full time officers in met with, "isn't going to happen right now."
Where does all the discussion happen... "Sunshine" anyone?
I would like to know, what's the game plan here? No merger, so it's this?
Don't let us sit around thinking the worst of our council, prove us wrong and hire some full time cops. Sooner rather than later.
Melissa S.
9:22 am on Friday, September 7, 2012
Nazareth borough council is like a cancer spreading through Nazareth. Until this disease is stopped, it will unfortunately lead to the death of a beautiful quiet little town. We need more police protection, less self serving, self gratifying politicians! The time for change has come! Time to find a cure for this cancer!!!!!
sherry
12:58 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012
Absolutely shameful conduct of the mayor and the council on this one and don't think the criminals haven't noticed we aren't protected.
So it appears that the council would rather have us unprotected if they can't get their way on this issue.
And even if there was a good reason for this latest move the lack of discussion before or after this vote shows the lack of integrity and honesty in this mayor and council. Nazareth Man is correct time to recall these folks.
kelly
1:57 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Fred lahovski was a great police officer. He helped me a lot throughout the years. This is sad to read. Whay a shame.