Published May 21. 2019 02:45PM
Weissport Borough Council was addressed by Constable James Osborne during the meeting on Monday.
Osborne told council that in the past month he required assistance and reached out to a local police department personally, since no one was on duty in Weissport at the time.
Osborne refused to provide the name of the officer he spoke to, but said he was told, “We don’t cross the bridge, that is Weissport. Call state police. We’re not coming to help.”
Osborne told council that last Monday he had another incident where he had two people at gunpoint after he observed them using drugs. Osborne said he called 911, requesting assistance. The communications center transferred his call to the state police.
Osborne said the state police were tied up on other calls but finally responded 15 to 20 minutes later, and a physical altercation took place.
Osborne stated, “I am sick and tired of Carbon County and this area here treating me like I’m the criminal. That’s exactly the way I was treated on Monday.”
He told council he doesn’t appreciate that other departments will come to Weissport to eat dinner but they won’t come to Weissport to help when requested.
“This is getting old,” Osborne said.
Council President Arland Moyer Sr. echoed Osborne’s concerns and said, “There’s no reason why they can’t come and assist, but they can come over here every day of the week and sit here for at least an hour at a time. If they can’t come to Weissport to help, they shouldn’t come to Weissport at all.”
Moyer made reference to several local police departments as well as state police while speaking.
Mayor Paulette Watson said she will reach out to have a discussion with other officials regarding the concerns raised by Osborne.