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Officer sworn in as public commenter alleges city police ignored reports
Summary
Officer Thomas McDonnell was sworn in at the meeting; a public commenter identified as "Ben" posted a chat alleging Altoona Police ignored his reports of criminal behavior and questioned council pay increases, and no response was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Councilmember Scott Duer swore in Officer Thomas McDonnell during the Sept. 18 City of Altoona meeting.
During the public-comment portion (chat), a participant identifying only as "Ben" said he previously reported criminal behavior and accused the Altoona Police of ignoring his evidence. Ben wrote that Officer Todd Trobaugh and his team "will deal with it," but that Trobaugh had not contacted him and that police had labeled Ben the aggressor for filming alleged criminal behavior. Ben asked: "Why is the Altoona Police continuing to ignore my evidence showing this criminal behavior? And why is the City Council continuing to falsely state that it has been 'dealt with'?" He also called attention to recently approved pay increases for the mayor and council and questioned whether it was appropriate to grant pay raises in light of the alleged negligence.
The meeting minutes record the chat entries but do not record a verbal response from council or police staff to Ben’s allegations. Another chat participant, Jeni Kadel, posted a greeting and later wrote "Congrats Officer!!" following the swearing-in.
The transcript contains no recorded follow-up or staff response to Ben’s allegations; if the council or police department provides a public response it was not included in these minutes.
