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City Council honors police, receives warning from agent

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette City Police Agent Trent Peacock shares his concerns during a city council meeting Tuesday, about proposed cuts to the staffing of the city police department.

Two days before Thanksgiving, eight city police were honored for their valor Tuesday, but the accolades came with a warning, too.

The officers were validated and given awards by police administration and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 29 for displaying courage in a shoot-out and car chase that took place about this time last year.

In an unplanned show of support for his colleagues after the accolades were shared, 30-year veteran police Agent Trent Peacock chastised Mayor Gabriel J. Campana for proposing cuts in the police complement as a means of preventing a tax increase and urged City Council to avoid trimming personnel at all costs.

Campana, who has proposed “across the board layoffs,” said he was not going to whittle departments. He added that the budget is a work in progress and there are no plans to lay off police at this time.

But his denial came just hours after he said he could not sleep at night because of his decision to have to cut at least eight city workers in police and public safety departments, in the proposed 2019 budget.

Awards were given to Patrolmen Nicholas Carrita, Zachary Geary, Tyson Minier, Christopher Salisbury (not present), Damon Cole; Patrolwoman Brittany Alexander and Cpls. Brian McGee and Richard Hofford.

Upon hearing of proposed cuts in the budget, Peacock, who said he is a year from retiring, urged the mayor, finance officials and council, to do their best to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Peacock warned having too few officers on a shift would create conditions “dooming our officers.”

Despite Campana saying numerous times leading up to the proposed budget challenge ahead that violent crime has dropped.

“There have been five homicides in the last seven years,” Peacock said.

It took “decades,” Peacock said, referencing his own experience, compared to what these officers are seeing on a daily basis.

“I hope you never have to face protecting and serving in that way again,” Council President Jonathan Williamson and other echoed in their accolades to the officers and the department as a whole.

Police Capt. Jody Miller, set to be the next city police chief Jan. 12, acknowledged council, Campana and distinguished guests such as state Rep. Jeff Wheeland, R-Lycoming.

Miller said the officers displayed distinguished acts of bravery and professionalism in the line of duty.

They were recognized and received awards and citation from Wheeland on behalf of the House of Representatives.

On a day when another officer was shot to death in Chicago, Agent Damon Hagen, lead investigator in the Williamsport homicide, said six officers were on patrol and two supervisors that fateful night.

He then said, “Let’s hear it for the nightwatch,” as everyone in the council chambers rose to their feet and applauded the men and women in blue.

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