S. ABINGTON TWP. — A young man’s life was saved, thanks to the quick response of local law enforcement officers, emergency dispatchers and firemen.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission operation center received a phone call from a motorist May 4 regarding a suicidal male in his early teens, threatening to jump from the turnpike bridge, according to a resolution issued by the commission and read aloud by Todd Leiss, traffic incident management coordinator, during the June 13 regular township supervisors meeting.
The resolution states the Chinchilla Hose Company was dispatched to the bridge by the county 911 center at the request of the South Abington Police Department. Chinchilla Hose Company Assistant Chief P.J. Hughes then requested additional support from the Clarks Summit Fire Company.
“South Abington Patrolman and negotiator John Judge successfully encouraged the young man to return to the bridge deck,” reads the resolution. “The quick response time and teamwork saved the life of the uninjured male. …The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission commends all responders, operators and dispatchers, rescue personnel, law enforcement and commission employees for their rapid response, preparation, attention to duty and adherence to sound procedures.”
Leiss presented copies of the resolution to members of the two fire companies and to South Abington Township Police Chief Robert Gerrity, who accepted on behalf of Judge, who was unable to attend the meeting.
“This type of incident is especially personal to me,” Leiss said. “I have a brother who committed suicide, so I am definitely impacted by this type of incident. I’m very grateful for what these guys did.”
In other business:
• Several township residents attended the meeting to voice numerous complaints regarding the garbage pickup, conducted under contract with by J.P. Mascaro and Sons. Some of the complaints included missed or late pickups, trash spilled on lawns and in the streets, bags left behind, damaged bins and recyclables getting thrown in the same truck with the regular garbage.
Mascaro representative Mark Cesare was in attendance to field the complaints, which he said were “disturbing to hear.” He assured the residents and board members the actions of the company’s workers, as described in the complaints, are not condoned or promoted by Mascaro. He said a closer supervision will be conducted in the area to assure the issues are resolved.
Residents say the problems started about three months to a year ago. According to township officials, the company has been picking up garbage in the township for about 14 years. The contract is due to expire on Dec. 31, 2018.
• Township resident Nora Utech, a member of Represent NEPA, the local chapter of the nationwide organization Represent Us, spoke briefly to the board, requesting passage of a nonbinding “anti-corruption” resolution.
“What we’re trying to do is work together to pass anti-corruption laws across the country,” she explained. “So ultimately Represent Us wants to pass what’s called the American Anti-Corruption Act, which is at the federal level, which is a really big undertaking. And so what we’re trying to do is start from the ground up. …We’re hoping that our community leaders will get on board and pledge to pass anti-corruption resolutions at the local level, so that we can build momentum.”
The officials agreed to review the resolution and consider it for approval at a future meeting.
• The supervisors briefly discussed the MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system) proposal submitted last month to the Abington Council of Governments, agreeing not to move forward on it this year, but to keep the topic open for future discussion.
• The board voted to hire Riccardo Godino and Darryl Silverstein as full-time police officers. Both have worked for the township for about three-and-a-half years as part-time police officers.
