Target 11 investigates a Pittsburgh-area community left overnight without police

SPRINGDALE BOROUGH, Pa. — A councilman in a Pittsburgh-area community is demanding answers after his community was left overnight without police protection, he said.

Springdale Borough has been the center of controversy lately, and earlier this week, complaints surfaced alleging the police chief had used abusive language.

Now, Target 11 investigator Rick Earle is investigating security concerns involving police protection.

Former Springdale Borough Police Chief Joe Naviglia was called out of retirement on Friday because the borough couldn’t find anyone else to patrol the streets.

On Thursday night, the councilman says there was no one on duty in the borough, and it is supposed to have around-the-clock coverage.

“I heard on the portable that county 911 was trying to locate Springdale with five different calls,” Springdale Borough Councilman John Molnar said.

According to Molnar, he found out by listening to the police radio. He said he went to the department and found no one working.

“Long as I’ve been here, this has never happened,” Molnar said.

Mayor Ken Lloyd said the chief is away and there was a sick call. Lloyd said he couldn’t find anyone to come in. He said an officer who just finished a 12-hour shift was at home on standby.

He also said the borough requested assistance from Cheswick and Springdale Township police.

Earle said he contacted both departments, and they said they never received the request.

Lloyd, who is also out of town, offered an explanation over the phone.

“What my officer did was contact radio and tell them he’s taking his radio home, and he’s an on-call officer,” Lloyd said.

Molnar said he’s just glad nothing happened, but he’d like answers.

“Thank God nothing happened. But if something would have happened, who would have gotten the blame? We need answers,” Molnar said.

Earle said Lloyd told him the rest of the shifts are covered for the week.

WPXI