Community Town Hall Discussion to Focus on Vandalism
McMasters – a former security officer and U.S. Navy veteran – presented his idea to Co-Hosts Michael Johnston and Jack Dunmire during Family-Life TV’s weekly “Talk of the Town” show Tuesday.
After a pavilion was burned to the ground – perhaps maliciously – across from Ford City Park early Saturday morning, Manor Township Resident Bill McMasters wants to hear suggestions how to fix the problem.
McMasters – a former security officer and U.S. Navy veteran – presented his idea to Co-Hosts Michael Johnston and Jack Dunmire during Family-Life TV’s weekly “Talk of the Town” show.
“Everybody’s been complaining on the Internet about all the vandalism that’s going on – not only in Ford City, but all over the area,” McMasters said. “And then, (April 17) we had the arson along the Rails-to-Trails. It’s getting to the point where they’re blaming a rogue cop, a rogue firefighter, they want to get to vigilante justice, (but) nobody’s actually stepping up to do anything.”
The town hall meeting will be held at 7PM Monday, April 27 at the Manor Township fire hall along Byron Street.
Police officers from Ford City and Manor Township were invited to attend, as well as Ford City Borough Mayor Marc Mantini, Borough Manager Eden Ratliff and elected council members and township supervisors.
County Commissioners David Battaglia, Rich Fink and Bob Bower, District Attorney Scott Andreassi and Sheriff Bill Rupert were also invited to the town hall meeting.
“One of the suggestions that was brought up on the Internet was to take up donations to buy additional security cameras – whether Ford City would be willing to pick up the monitoring fee is yet to be seen,” McMasters said.
“This is not going to be a complaining session – we had that at the last town hall meeting and nothing’s been accomplished. This meeting is strictly to get suggestions and hopefully form a committee that will continue to monitor the situation and come up with a solution.”
Callers were also concerned that about the lack of local police coverage in Ford City Borough and if those arsonists or thieves found are punished appropriately.
One caller brought up the February 18 NexTier bank robbery along Route 422 in Manor Township .
Matthew James Crossman, 28, of Marion Center, was arrested earlier this month allegedly for stealing $1,350 from the bank and fleeing in a red “Phillies” windbreaker before being caught by law enforcement.
Crossman is charged with nearly a dozen crimes stemming from the robbery – including six felonies (such as three different robbery counts, criminal mischief and flight to avoid apprehension). Among the misdemeanor offences, he is accused of receiving stolen property, making terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person, as well as summary harassment.
Crossman is also accused of simple assault earlier this month in Indiana County.
Local News | jweaver April 23, 2015
