Pocono News Section

Police Force Eliminated in Schuylkill County Township

Police Force Eliminated in Schuylkill County Township - Friday, December 28, 2007 at 1:35PM EST

Friday, Dec 28, 2007 @01:35pm EST
NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY - One township in Schuylkill County plans to ring-in the new year by getting rid of its only full-time police officer.

More than 120 packed a public meeting Thursday night in Schuylkill County to talk about the issue. Despite a petition and outcries, the Norwegian Township Board of Supervisors voted to disband its police department.

Starting January 1st, the township will only be patrolled by State Police. Lawmakers say the decision came after Sergeant John Zuratt failed to retire at the age of 55, as officials first expected.

"I just think it's a shame we're not going to have police coverage at a time when crime is running rampant," resident Charles Tamburelli said.

"People did not sit back and do nothing. We collected 1,286 signatures to retain him and they didn't listen. They listened for an hour but didn't do anything. They're laughing at us," resident Charlie Zuratt said.

Representatives for the only full-time police officer say they will contact the Equal Employment Commission because they say the township committed an act of age discrimination.