Laflin Borough, Former Police Chief Settle Lawsuit

A federal lawsuit filed by a former police chief against Laflin Borough was settled this week, courts documents show.

Former borough police Chief Michael Flanagan filed the suit Nov. 25, 2013, against the borough, as well as its council members, that was dismissed Thursday, court documents show, because both parties reached a settlement — which was not disclosed in court documents.

Attorney Cynthia L. Pollick, who represented Flanagan in the suit, did not return messages seeking comment on the settlement. Attorneys representing the borough and its council, Christopher Tinari and Michael Miller of Philadelphia, also did not return messages.

According to the lawsuit, Flanagan felt he was “wrongfully demoted without just cause.” The suit also said Flanagan had been an employee of the borough for more than 14 years and went on to say on or about Oct. 17, 2013 when “the defendants voted at an official borough meeting to demote plaintiff and hired another police chief.”

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/laflin-borough-former-police-chief-settle-lawsuit-1.1815135

Laflin Council Abolishes Police Force

LAFLIN, PA — The meeting of Laflin Borough Council devolved into chaos Monday night as four council members voted to immediately disband the police department and hire a consultant to liquidate the department’s property.

After hearing impassioned public comment against relying solely on state police to enforce the law in Laflin, a council majority voted to do just that, with Councilman Glen Gubitose the lone opposing vote.

The majority defended the move by saying the borough infrastructure is crumbling and in desperate need of repair after years of neglect. But that didn’t satisfy dozens of residents who showed up to voice their opposition to the move. As council members finished the vote, the room erupted in jeers and boos loud enough to drown out council members for the rest of the meeting.

Residents ordered to quiet down challenged council members to call the police.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/laflin-council-abolishes-police-force-1.1799795

Arresting Regionalization Figures Aired

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DUPONT, PA – There was good news and bad news, depending on where you live.

A regional police study was presented Thursday night to municipal officials from Avoca, Dupont, Duryea, Hughestown, Laflin and Jenkins Township.

If you live in Laflin, the borough could save nearly $200,000 a year by joining a regional police department. If you cross the border into Jenkins Township, the cost is well over $100,000 more each year, according to the study.

Ron Stern of the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services and Joseph L. Kirschner, on speakerphone from Naples, Fla., detailed a 42-page report outlining current staffing and costs, and a plan for a unified force.

Read more: http://timesleader.com/news/local-news/1147789/Arresting-regionalization-figures-aired

Police Cuts Talk Of 2 Luzerne County Towns

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Two municipalities facing budget shortfalls are exploring options to ease their finances by cutting police services.

Edwardsville Mayor Bernard “Ace” Dubaskas said council members are talking about reducing the number of full-time officers, while Laflin council members are considering contracting with a neighboring municipality for police protection.

Cutting police services is not a new concept for cash-strapped municipalities.

Warrior Run disbanded its police force in favor of contracting police services from Nanticoke two years ago.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/741394/Police-cuts-talk-of-2-towns