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Police and fire report heavy summer call volumes; residents urge faster park work and raise safety concerns
Summary
Fire and ambulance calls were high in June and the police reported a robbery and increased enforcement actions; residents at the meeting pressed the council about stalled park work, trash‑hauler damage and risky e‑bike/scooter behavior.
Brookhaven’s fire and police chiefs reported heavy call volumes for June and described recent incidents and community outreach at the July 6 borough council meeting.
Fire Chief Montella said the fire company responded to five in‑borough fire incidents, 27 non‑fire incidents, 41 mutual‑aid calls and logged 77 fire calls in June (355 year‑to‑date). He reported $5,000 in vehicle loss for the month, no firefighter or civilian injuries, and that roughly $100,000 in property was in danger during incidents that month. Montella also reported robust training and said six volunteer firefighters earned Firefighter I pro‑board certification.
Police Chief Havoc told the council the department handled 719 calls for service in June, filed six criminal cases and three juvenile cases, and issued automated school bus stop‑arm violation notices (24 incidents flagged for review), with $300 civil fines issued after review. He described a June 14 robbery at Supreme Smoke Shop in which responding officers chased and captured a suspect after a taser deployment; stolen merchandise was recovered and no one was injured. Havoc also noted new 2025 Ford Explorer hybrid SUVs are arriving to replace older patrol Durangos and highlighted community engagement events such as National Night Out on Aug. 4.
During the second public comment period, residents urged faster progress on a federally funded park project in their neighborhood after seeing dirt delivered that washed away in rain; Mister Catania responded that the borough awarded the contract that night and that county grant compliance and preconstruction steps must occur before work begins.
Other public commenters raised service concerns and safety issues: Peter Maceras said the trash‑hauling company failed to respond after damaging his trash can and asked for follow‑up; Tom Dykes reported a patched road that failed, overgrown hedges on borough property that exceed height expectations, and growing dangerous e‑bike and scooter behavior—including riding in the roadway and ignoring stop signs—and asked for stronger education and enforcement. Kathleen Haynes asked the borough to coordinate with the electric utility about poles and lines that now hang over a private pool and said code enforcement notices are pending.
Council directed staff to follow up on the trash complaint, examine the park timeline and coordinate with the county on contractor scheduling, and to look into utility/inspector contacts for the electrical lines complaint. The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn.
