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By CHRIS SCHNEIDMILLER; Times Leader Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 24, 1997     Page: 3A

ASHLEY- A Children’s Service Center caseworker’s assertion that a traffic
stop might have been racially motivated has been settled, the center’s
executive director said Tuesday.
   
Arthur Breese, a social service worker with the center, claimed Sgt. David
Cerski was belligerent and used obscene language during a traffic stop on Dec.
3. Breese is black.
    Cerski denied the allegation.
   
Children’s Service Center Executive Director Joe DiVizia, Ashley Police
Chief Thomas Engle and attorneys representing both organizations met for an
hour on Dec. 17 to discuss the situation.
   
Attorneys drafted a press release, issued this week, that states that both
sides regret the incident.
   
No one admitted any wrongdoing and no further action will be taken by
Ashley police or borough officials. Officials hope the meeting will “lead to a
better communication and understanding on all people’s parts,” the release
states.
   
“Certainly we stand by our situation. I think they reviewed it and felt
there was no wrongdoing on his part. We just felt we wanted to make sure there
was some positive outcome,” DiVizia said.
   
Luzerne County District Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. found there was
no criminal act on Cerski’s part, DiVizia said. Breese had asked the District
Attorney’s Office to investigate. Olszewski could not be reached for comment
Tuesday.
   
Breese was invited to attend the meeting, but declined, DiVizia said. He
could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Engle and Cerski also were not
available.
   
DiVizia said he learned that Ashley police participate in diversity
training.