Politics & Government

Friction on Nazareth Police Committee

Tension over police issues mounted at Nazareth Borough Council meeting among Police Committee members.

Monday's meeting of the Nazareth Police Committee might not have the fireworks that came about over police issues at the recent Borough Council meeting.

As Councilman Jack Herbst was giving his Police Committee report, he responded to a question from Councilman Charles Donello.

"If you have a police issue, you come to me," Herbst stated before a crowd that had gathered at the May 6 meeting to hear a presentation on the pool and find out who the borough chose at its new mayor.

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"There wasn't an issue," Donello shot back. "I'm not sure why someone would go crying to you. This is getting a little carried away. If a council member has to be afraid to ask a question, then something is wrong."

Herbst responded that it obviously was an issue since he received a phone call about Donello appearing at borough hall asking about police business.

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"It was a simple question," Donello said.

Later, as the meeting progressed, Donello fired off that he wasn't informed or involved in discussions regarding Colonial Regional Police possibly assuming the borough's police operations.

"What's going on?" he said. "We have three people on the police committee. Yet only two get involved. If you don't want me on the police committee, then take me off and put me on something else. There is a whole lot of information not getting passed on properly."

Monday's meeting will be the first for new Mayor Carl Strye Jr., who oversees the police department. The police committee also includes Councilman Carl Fischl.

The meeting will be held in council chambers at 7 p.m. Monday. The Fire Committee meets before at 6 p.m.


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