Duquesne Police, Fire Departments Post Reports

By Cami DiBattista
The Tube City Almanac
November 22, 2018
Posted in: Duquesne News

Duquesne police reported 597 calls to service for the month of October, resulting in 71 arrests. 

Police Chief Tom Dunlevy gave the department's report at the most recent city council meeting.

Calls for service included 13 abandoned vehicles, nine animal complaints, seven fights, 30 domestics, five for shots fired, one robbery and two protection from abuse order violations. Dunlevy also reported 213 traffic stops, resulting in 92 traffic citations.

The Duquesne Fire Department had 22 calls to service for October.

In other business, Mayor Nickole Nesby reported the city had an unpaid balance from last year for salt for the streets in the amount of $74,285.38.

She said a review of records pertaining to the salt revealed $40,000 was earmarked to build a salt shed, but it has not yet been completed.

Nesby said the city’s salt is currently not covered and is diminishing with each rainfall. She has requested an estimate from the city engineer to have to the remainder of the shed completed.

Water Department: Councilwoman Elaine Washington reported that the city department of water and environmental resources is progressing with obtaining back payments from delinquent accounts.

But Washington said the department is having issues with “temp water,” which is water turned on temporarily for landlords to clean or repair their properties. According to Washington, the properties using temp water do not have account numbers and current tenants are continuing to use the water without paying.

After discussion with Code Enforcement Officer Sidney Walker, the two decided that temporary water accounts will now be set up in each landlord’s name and it will be their responsibility to see that their tenants switch the water bill into their own names.

Washington made a request that the water clerk have security bars placed on her windows for safety purposes, similar to those on the treasury department's window.

Also during the meeting, City Treasurer David Bires questioned why he was not receiving minutes from previous meetings. Council members regularly receive the minutes, he said.

City council approved creation of a seasonal work program from now through Jan. 25 in the city.

Council members also discussed the upcoming expiration of the city's contract with its trash collector, Waste Management.

Cami DiBattista is a freelance writer who covers municipal news from Duquesne, White Oak and other subjects for Tube City Almanac. She may be reached at cad316@gmail.com.

Originally published November 22, 2018.

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