Category: Another Viewpoint || By A Longtime Resident

Editor's Note: The following letter to the editor is from a Haler Heights resident who has asked to have their name withheld. It has been edited slightly to fit this space and for readability.

McKeesport police Chief Bryan Washowich has been invited to respond; we will publish his response when it's received.

. . .

The other night, a homeowner who lives in our neighborhood had an outdoor, all-hours-of-the-night party. Now, this was a weeknight. Late on Tuesday night.

But OK, everyone gets loud sometimes so cut him some slack ... right? I can sleep through a lot and I dozed off. So no harm, no foul.

However, at quarter to one in the morning or so, when the fireworks started going off around his home, that changed. My wife woke up abruptly, panicking that it was gunshots, and was afraid to even look out the window. Then she saw the flashes in the air and knew what it was. That's when the panic turned to being just plain mad.

If it was your average resident doing this, it would be one thing. But we later found out from surrounding neighbors that it was in fact a city police officer who owns the house and who was hosting the all night party in their driveway!

. . .

Don't get me wrong. I think being a cop these days anywhere is one of the most thankless jobs there is.

You risk your life and health every day to protect and serve. Add to that the idea of being a cop in McKeesport and ... well, let's just say that I am pretty sure there are not candidates beating down our city's doors to sign up.

In my opinion, the people that complain about cops being able to park wherever they want, get free food at local shops, take the squad car home at the end of a shift, etc., need to consider what it would be like without cops preserving the peace. You don't get a big paycheck in return, so I am OK with you guys having some perks. You deserve them.

But "preserving the peace" ... now, I guess that is why I am writing this. Preservation of peace. The right of every city resident to have peace and quiet.

. . .

Now, given the recent shooting at Renzie and the shootings elsewhere in our city, was shooting fireworks off at almost 1 a.m. a smart thing to do?

Forget about being "considerate," which it was not. Was it smart to shoot off fireworks in the middle of the night given the recent shootings at around the same time? Can't you see the kind of panic and concern you caused?

This was a city police officer and, likely, some of his city police officer friends having a great time at the expense of fellow residents, ignoring the noise ordinances and fireworks laws of our city and state, aside from just being inconsiderate.

Shouldn't they know better? Shouldn't they be setting a better example for average residents to follow?

Whatever happened to the "preserve the peace" part of their oath?

. . .

Chief Washowich, please talk to the officer who was responsible for this. Certainly you know who it was. At least one neighbor called 911 to report it. And then again when it happened again a couple hours later! Supposedly a car was sent to the location twice. So there is a record of that. Explain to him what being a good neighbor means and why he needs to be one as an officer of our city.

Chief, you have a thankless job most of the time, but let me ask you this: If one of your neighbors had been shooting off fireworks above your house at 1 or 2 a.m. and freaking your family out, not once but twice, would you have just let it slide?

Was a car even sent out to the house like the dispatcher said she would do? Or was the fact that it was a fellow cop enough reason to just laugh it off and radio the guy to hold it down some? Can you see how this makes the average resident feel?

I should hope that our officers would set a good example for proper behavior in our community.

And shattering the silence in the early hours of the morning with fireworks just because you want to party hardy is not setting a good example.

. . .

Last I checked, fireworks like the ones this person was using are illegal in the state of Pennsylvania. Had an average resident been the one doing this, and if it were a cop i was waking up, you can bet your badge that I would have been nailed for possession and use of illegal fireworks, disturbing the peace and who knows what else.

Come on guys! In order to be a good cop, one that is respected by the community and looked up to as a leader and an advocate for good, you first need to be a good resident.

Every officer, in this city especially, should be an EXAMPLE for all the residents to follow and look up to, not someone to resent for getting away with things just because he has a badge.

Respectfully,
A longtime McKeesport resident

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