Part-time officer hired as borough police responses, training questioned
SHENANDOAH – The borough approved the hiring of a part-time police officer, and members of the public questioned the department’s recent responsiveness at Monday night’s council meeting.
Council approved the hiring of Hugh Clinton as a part-time borough police officer.
The hiring came at the request of Mayor Andrew Szczyglak.
Shenandoah has struggled, like other municipalities in the past year, to maintain staffing for 24/7 police coverage, often relying on state police coverage.
During the public portion of Monday’s meeting, one resident expressed concern regarding the responsiveness of police in town.
Michelle Gulden recalled an incident in January in which, she said, law enforcement refused to respond to a mental health crisis in which someone’s life was threatened. She said law enforcement told her they were “busy.” It was not clear at the meeting if the agency in question was state or local police.
“A lot has changed over the years with mental health, I work in the mental health field, I take this situation very very serious,” Gulden told council. “I think we as a community and as a council can do better for people who are suffering from mental health issues.”
She suggested updated training for borough police on mental health issues.
Szczyglak said he would discuss the matter with Chief George Carado.
“That was not appropriate for them to answer that way,” Szczyglak said.
She, and two other residents, said police have been ineffective in alleviating neighborhood nuisances as well.
Gulden said she’s not looking for disciplinary action, she just wants improvement.
Borough Manager Tony Sajone suggested bringing the law and order committee together with Carado and Szczyglak.
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