Residents allege daily harassment on Mitchell and Reese streets; police to tag vehicles and pursue citations

Residents told the Plains Township Board on Sept. 12 that two men at a property on Mitchell and Reese streets are encroaching on township land, driving unregistered vehicles, playing loud music and harassing neighbors daily.

Michelle Demich spoke on behalf of neighbor Dee, saying the men poured a driveway on township property, installed a tarp to block cameras, and have verbally harassed and intimidated neighbors. “They harass Dee every single day ... she is afraid to leave her house,” Demich said. Neighbors said vehicles often have no registration and that they had recorded some of the behavior.

Police Chief Binker said officers have responded multiple times and that one person was cited after making rude and sexual comments during a recent incident. “With Michelle’s incident there were rude and sexual comments made so I ended up citing the guy,” Chief Binker said. He added that if vehicles are on private property the department cannot remove them without following legal process, but officers will assist with tagging and towing when authorized so the township can run VIN numbers.

Chairman Gerald Yozwiak and Commissioner Robert Sax described plans to survey disputed property boundaries. Zoning officer Karen said she will send a letter addressing lot coverage and unregistered vehicles and will try to determine the principals of the listed owner, Pittston Management LLC. Solicitor Menn advised residents that filing a complaint with the magistrate may be appropriate and noted the township’s limits on entering private property without legal authorization.

Neighbors said harassment has included obscene gestures, threats and loud music that prevents residents from sitting on their porches. Resident Harry Thomas said one neighbor told him he had a gun; Nancy Thomas said she and her husband, longtime residents, were too frightened to use their yard. Chief Binker encouraged residents to report each incident so police can build a record; he said repeated calls can strengthen a criminal stalking case and could lead to prosecution if evidence supports it.

At the meeting, officials said they would tag vehicles subject to township procedures, have zoning and solicitor staff investigate the LLC that owns the site, and follow up with additional enforcement if warranted. The board did not announce any immediate eviction or property seizure; actions described were limited to zoning letters, vehicle tagging and continued police follow-up.