Nesquehoning: Police burdened with prison calls

Nesquehoning officials are in need of some help when it comes to policing the county prison.

On Wednesday, Mayor Sam Kitchko said that police are responding to a number of incidents at the Carbon County Correctional Facility.

The jail is located on the Broad Mountain in Nesquehoning.

Kitcho said it is putting a strain on the department, which has been having staffing issues due to injuries or officers leaving for other positions.

“I know it’s not in the budget, but we need a detective to do the follow-up investigative work,” Kitchko said.

“This week alone, up until (Wednesday), we had three cases up at the prison, and when we get a case at the prison, it’s not just write up a report and you’re done. It’s follow-up interviews and other work. It’s a mess.”

He asked council if it would be OK to have solicitor Robert Yurchak look into what the borough’s responsibility is for covering the prison.

“Yes it’s in our jurisdiction, but do other counties in the state have the municipalities take care of the prisons or do the sheriff’s departments?” Kitchko asked.

Councilman Frank Jacobs said he spoke with the county commissioners about the issue and was told it’s in Nesquehoning’s jurisdiction.

He added that he has heard that in other counties, the county detective does most investigations when something happens at the county jail.

“I’m not saying we can’t go up there occasionally,” Jacobs said, “but the demand is getting too much for our police.”

“It’s getting worse every year and it’s bigger problems,” Kitchko added.

Councilwoman Mary Fox said things Yurchak should look into are the surrounding counties.

Council directed Yurchak to look into the matter and see what can be done. Council then plans to set up a meeting with the commissioners in the future.

In other police matters, Chief Sean Smith is back to work, Kitchko said, noting that he has only been cleared for administrative duties.