-CORAOPOLIS-
By Nick Leffakis
Two residents who attended the July 13 Coraopolis Borough meeting to report suspicious activities occurring in their neighborhoods were reminded to always call the police.
Resident Jean Lubawy alleges people are using illegal drugs at the neighborhood park near her 1st Avenue home, while George Carr of Chestnut Street described what he called “inaction” on the part of the police department regarding an issue he had with his first-floor neighbor.
Lubawy admitted to not calling the police to report the suspicious activity because, as she told Chief Ronald Denbow, “...she was trying to get proof.”
Denbow responded, “I wish you would have called, because if you call we can dispatch the officer immediately...call in and remain anonymous, an officer will go down.”
Carr also spoke of suspicious behavior, specifically highlighting an example that occurred around 3 a.m. on July 12 when his neighbor was “out there in the total black, pumping up a raft.” He also mentioned a separate unclear issue with a dog.
“I’m gonna make the same comment the chief made, I mean if you see something, immediately call the police..that’s the best you can do,” Chad Kraynyk, board vice president said.
The resident responded to Kraynyk, saying when he does call the police with complaints, “They can’t do nothing.”
“Well, Sgt. Litterini did go down there, he wrote a detailed report. Blowing up a raft is not against the law,” said Denbow.
As to the dog issue, the chief noted to Carr, “[You’ve seen] the body cams, they were nothing but professional, they issued a citation.”
Carr replied, “No, they didn’t.”
Chief Denbow countered, “Yes, they did… they issued it, I made them issue it. They issued it on information received by you...I’m telling you we did do something.”
In other Coraopolis news,
• The sale of the borough’s 1995 fire engine to a fire company located in West Virginia for $21,500. A subsequent motion, authorizing the borough manager to sign all paperwork for this sale, was also approved. The transaction is expected to be complete by July 15.
• The borough also approved a contract with M&B Services to replace a traffic signal at Montour Street and State Avenue at a cost of $286,200, with partial funding from a grant in the amount of $160,000. Councilperson Robb Cardimen commented, “Boy did the costs really go up.”
• Coraopolis Borough will not hold a workshop meeting Aug. 3.