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Residents press Tarentum council on signage, abandoned vehicles and police conduct
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Summary
During the second citizen‑comment period residents raised code‑enforcement and police conduct concerns: a resident questioned new signage and a bank‑building reuse; another described a long‑standing abandoned vehicle report; a caller alleged unsafe police driving and difficulties obtaining complaint forms.
Several residents used the borough’s second public‑comment period on April 14 to raise localized concerns about signage, abandoned vehicles and police interactions.
Signage and building reuse: Cindy Homburg (538 E. 10th Ave) asked about an owner changing the face of a former bank building and installing new signage without apparent prior approval. Staff responded that a sign permit had been applied for and that the location is zoned commercial, which allows retail use; staff said an initial inspection showed the tenant was in the process of adapting the space.
Abandoned vehicles and enforcement: Cindy Sander (506 E. 6th Ave) reported multiple previous complaints about an abandoned Explorer left on the street since 2023 and asked why the ordinance had not been enforced. Staff described the standard follow‑up process: a tow/tag and a notice with a 5–10 day compliance window, and said they would re‑check the case and follow up.
Allegation about police conduct and FOIA access: Zachary Butler (624 E. 9th Ave) recounted an arrest and alleged that the transporting officer drove "74 and a 55 the entire way" on Route 28; he also said he was kept at the police‑station door when attempting to file a complaint and that a FOIA/form was not provided on request. The chief or designee accepted the complaint on the record in the meeting and council directed staff to follow up on Butler’s concerns.
Council and staff responses were procedural: staff confirmed sign‑permit activity and parking/abandonment protocols, and the police department acknowledged Butler’s complaint and indicated it would be addressed through internal channels. No formal disciplinary or investigative outcomes were reported at the meeting.
