Beyond the Byline: Thanks to all police, firefighters, EMTs

WILKES-BARRE — Back in the day, it was always good to know there was a cop around when you needed one.

Or a firefighter, or an EMT.

Most towns had several officers in their police departments and fire companies were filled with volunteers who would respond immediately when a call came in, leaving their homes and families to help all of us.

Over the years, that has changed.

We can never thank police officers, firefighters and EMTs enough. They are vital to our safety and they deserve the utmost respect from all of us who rely on their bravery every single day.

That’s why two stories I covered this week are so significant.

The first one happened at the former Pennsylvania State Police barracks on Wyoming Avenue — the new home of the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department.

The long process of forming a regional police department in five West Side communities finally culminated with the huge announcement from U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, who presented a $963,000 check that will be used to purchase new police cruisers, body cameras and other essential equipment.

Cartwright said it best:

“Our officers deserve the best equipment to provide the highest level of police services possible to the residents of Wyoming, West Wyoming, West Pittston and Exeter Boroughs and Exeter Township. We are so grateful and lucky to have such capable and dedicated officers who are always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty.”

Yes we sure are. These brave men and women leave their homes every day with the risk of encountering danger. Scranton Detective Kyle Gilmartin is the perfect example of what can happen in the line of duty.

So it was so good to see all the men and women in blue gathered at the new headquarters to show support for the regional department.

Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA, was instrumental in getting the regionalization project moving forward when she served as Northeast and Regional Director and special adviser for Gov. Tom Wolf.

But as Coleman told me, her involvement goes back even further, to the days when her grandfather, Joseph Coyne, served on Exeter Borough Council and later as Mayor — a position she would hold from 2008-2015.

“I can recall vividly my grandfather taking me to meetings with Mayor Bill Goldsworthy of West Pittston,” Coleman said. “They would discuss regionalization and what it would mean for the Wyoming Area, but they were never able to get it across the finish line.”

Coleman said she was pleased to see that more than 20 years later, the dreams of her grandfather and others finally came through.

“To be here today to see that idea come full circle, and to have played a small part in making it happen, is such a good feeling,” Coleman said. “And to be here to see everyone who worked so hard to make it all happen is especially gratifying.”

That’s what I’m talking about — people working together across political lines to do what is right; to do what is needed.

Another leader of the regionalization effort, Rep. Aaron Kaufer, said the effort could have been the result of “an act of God.”

“But the Commission took the politics out of the process — Republicans and Democrats worked together and did what was right for the residents and the men and women who wear the blue,” Kaufer said.

Wyoming Area Regional Police Department Chief Mike Turner said, “We will have a regional police department that residents will respect. And we will provide quality police protection for our five communities.”

Don’t worry Chief, we respect you and all your officers and all those who work in law enforcement and all First Responders. We thank you all for what you do every day for us.

Joseph Pizano, Chairman of the WARP Commission, and a member if Exeter Borough Council, said a lot of the discussion of the need for a regional department centered on all five towns having small staffs and limited coverage.

“We all felt we had to do something about it,” Pizano said. “We worked together and at times, there was some uncertainty, but we remained committed and we decided regionalization was the way to go.”

Congratulations to the Commission on a job extremely well done.

The other story from this week happened on Thursday, where Mayor George Brown and Police Chief Joseph Coffay announced a new Community Policing initiative to fight crime, raise awareness and increase accessibility.

The Community Policing program’s Bike Patrol Division will feature six new vehicles — make that electric/pedal-powered bicycles — each costing $4,000, thanks to a partnership with the Luzerne Foundation and the Diamond City Partnership, who split the purchase cost.

Chief Coffay said, “This is a great example of a partnership between the community and the police department. These bikes enhance what we already have. We hope to build a rapport with the community by having these officers more visible and accessible on the bikes.”

C. David Pedri, President/CEO at the Luzerne Foundation, said, “This program is a great way to try to change the narrative by getting these officers out to interact with the community.”

DCP’s Larry Newman agreed, saying, “These bikes will be critical in keeping the city safe and to making the community aware that these officers are always nearby.”

Two important stories that will have a positive impact on our community.