Nazareth
council endorses officer's suspension
Patrolman Frederick Lahovski has served the 10 days without
compensation.
By Kevin Duffy, Special to The Morning Call
As residents expressed concern over a recent uptick in crime, the Nazareth Borough Council on Monday voted
to uphold the suspension of police officer Frederick Lahovski.
Council unanimously endorsed the 10-day suspension, stipulating the
former detective be docked without pay. Mayor Fred C. Daugherty said Lahovski
has served the time and will be compensated for time away from the job
exceeding the 10 working days.
Lahovski, who was promoted to detective in 2009, was demoted to
patrolman in March by Chief Thomas M. Trachta after a hearing between Lahovski
and Daugherty. After the hearing, Daugherty released a memo saying that
Lahovski's unwillingness to discuss a grievance filed by the police union over
a change in patrolman shift hours "was unacceptable."
Lahovski serves as police union president. The shifts, which were
changed from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.-7 p.m., have since been changed back.
Lahovski was also served two disciplinary notices for violations of the
borough's code of conduct — one for his handling of an arrest late last year
and another for purchasing fingerprinting equipment without council approval.
After the meeting, Daugherty said the notices "had nothing to
do" with the suspension, stating he could not speak further.
"It's a personnel issue still going on internally," he said.
Lahovski could not be reached for comment.
Council also voted unanimously to advertise for three part-time
officers. Some residents had asked about the adequacy of coverage in their
neighborhoods.
Trachta said the 54 reported crimes in the borough last month are a
normal "spike" due to the approach of summerand warmer weather. He
conceded, however, that those inclined to commit crimes are aware of the number
of patrolmen in Nazareth — 3 full-time officers and about eight part-timers —
and are emboldened.
Council's consideration of a merger with the Colonial Regional Police
Department, Trachta said, has hampered his ability to hire qualified officers.
A merger with Colonial Regional, he said, might put Nazareth patrolman "at
the end of the line" in terms of seniority and promotions.
"You're starting all over again," he said.
Daugherty said a merger between Nazareth and Colonial Regional remains a
possibility.
Coverage in Nazareth is supplemented by state police.
Rick Troxell, a 32-year resident of the borough, said a report of shots
fired in the borough Saturday night is an example of the type of crimes now
being seen in Nazareth.
"It's not the number of crimes, it's the type of crimes," he
said.
Trachta said after the meeting that the incident was handled effectively
by borough police, and that the investigation is ongoing.
Nazareth resident Toni Hummel agreed with Troxell and said recent
examples of graffiti found in the borough are indicators of gang activity.
Kevin Duffy is a freelance writer.
Had enough? Write to the Speaker of the House, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 and demand federal
hearings into the police problem in America.
Demand mandatory body cameras for cops, one strike rule on abuse, and a
permanent DOJ office on Police
Misconduct.