Nazareth Will Rebuild Police Force, Mayor Says

The idea of having Colonial Regional Police provide police services to Nazareth is dead.

Nazareth Mayor Carl Strye Jr. said Thursday morning that borough officials were informed "a couple of days ago" that Lower Nazareth Township would not agree to let Colonial Regional Police serve as Nazareth's police force.

"It's not a shocking decision," said Strye, who oversees the borough's police department.

Colonial Regional Police was given a deadline to make a decision regarding Nazareth's police operations by the next Borough Council work session on June 27.

"We're going to rebuild our own department," Strye said. "It's going to take some time and money. But that's what the people want."

Strye said the matter has taken a toll on residents, dragging on for over two years. Meanwhile, Nazareth has fielded a police department with three full-timers, including Police Chief Thomas Trachta.

"It's over with," he said. "It's in the past. We're only looking toward the future."

When asked about the future of police Chief Thomas Trachta, Strye responded:

"He's still the police chief as of now," the mayor said. "[As for the future], I can't answer that. I don't know. That's a council decision. We have a lot of questions to ask."

Trachta, reached after Patch spoke with the mayor Thursday, commented about his status.

"I'm looking forward to working with the new mayor," the police chief said. "I hope the council will hire more full-time officers without delay."

Trachta said that once the Nazareth Police Department gets fully staffed, it might be able to offer opportunities to others.

"Lower Nazareth may want to consider contracting services with us when we're fully operational," the chief said.

"We need to put together a game plan," Strye stated. "We're not going to let this drag on. That's not fair to the citizens. We want to put this to rest."