By Becky Polaski

Staff Writer

St. Marys resident Joe Penfield once again addressed members of City Council at their recent meeting regarding claims of police misconduct that he alleges occurred over Memorial Day weekend.  

“Things got just way out of control after the chief came in and denied that I went through this intersection and it became kind of a contest between me and him,” Penfield said. “I’m not going to bother you guys about that anymore. That will be settled in court. I really wish we didn’t have to do that. I would have hoped you guys would have taken my complaints seriously. When I came in here 10 weeks ago, I made the claim that what the officers were doing that night was either an absurd waste of money or it was a criminal act, an illegal DUI trap. The chief came in and denied that I went through the intersection. I can’t prove that at this point, but hopefully I will. I can’t prove that he lied to you, but hopefully I will.”

Penfield asked council members to comment on whether they felt the Seatbelt Safety Check that was being conducted that night on the Johnsonburg Road was a worthwhile endeavor. Penfield specifically directed his question to Councilman Dick Dornisch.

“I’m not here to discuss how Todd runs his police department or how PennDOT may or may not waste money,” Dornisch said. “God knows, if I did, I’d have a lot more to talk about than I’m going to talk about to you. I don’t think that was a particularly wise thing to do, but I have lived pretty close to that road for a long time. At 1 a.m., to just progress this conversation, it is not a particularly dangerous intersection. In fact, it is not a dangerous intersection any time of the day. I come across Paul Road many, many times. It is a straight stretch in there. There is a lot of fast traffic. You more or less got a free walk from these cops who were out there. They may have been able to be better employed at other times, however that was PennDOT money that put them out there to put the seatbelt thing.”

Dornisch noted council had heard from a number of individuals with regard to the matter and the State Attorney General’s Office had also investigated and found no wrongdoing.

“It is kind of like me saying to you, Joe get a life for God’s sake. Let this thing alone. It is over,” Dornisch said.

“Oh no, it is far from over,” Penfield responded.

Mayor Sally Geyer then read a statement to Penfield and provided him and other members of council with a written copy.

“Mr. Penfield: You have come before this council since August with allegations of police misconduct that you allege happened on the Memorial Day weekend on the Johnsonburg Road near the South Paul entrance. The city police chief appeared before this council to explain what the police intent was that evening, and an investigation was done showing no police wrongdoing,” Geyer said. “You have since accused the police department, city manager and this council of conspiracy, cover up and lying. Mr. Penfield, there is no conspiracy, no cover up, and you were not lied to. You accused Denny Nero of lying saying you could not get the DUI records when in fact, Mr. Nero told you that you would not get the names. I believe, unless any member of this council objects, that this matter is settled, unless you can come up with proof or a witness to what you allege. And then at that time you should file your own suit. You have heard from this council. You are welcome to attend every city council meeting and speak as a citizen but on this matter, I believe, Mr. Penfield it is time to bury the dead horse you keep beating.”

Penfield responded that he does not believe that he got a free pass with regard to the situation he alleges occurred.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. I was a private citizen driving up the road not doing anything wrong and I was subject to cops trying to force me off the road for an illegal DUI stop,” Penfield said.

Council members reminded Penfield that this is his opinion.

Councilman Denny Nero also addressed Penfield and stated that members of council would not comment further.

“Joe, you mentioned that it is going to court,” Nero said. “In my opinion and my advice, and I hope Mark will give the same advice, we are not saying another word.”

Penfield stated that he would be back before council in the future.

“I will come back to you with some video,” Penfield said. “What I have been doing recently, we’ve been doing tests with cameras in a car and we’ve pretty much got it down now so we can patrol the streets between midnight and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. We’ll be doing this with a variety of cars with video cameras and we will be hoping to get pulled over with a bogus, made up reason by the St. Marys Police. They’ve been doing this now for about 20 years and they do it with impunity. So I will come back when I have video of this and then we’ll talk again.”