The four Shenandoah police officers facing federal charges have been suspended without pay. Now the borough, in the midst of the scandal, is looking for some part-timers to fill the gaps.
Looking at Shenandoah you wouldn't suspect there is anything wrong but the borough is facing a crisis.
Shenandoah borough council decided the federal corruption charges lodged against four police officers were so serious that serious action had to be taken. All four were suspended without pay.
Some are accused of trying to cover up for Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak's role in the beating death of Mexican immigrant Luis Ramirez in 2008. The teens have been charged with hate crimes. Other officers are accused of protecting illegal gambling operations for money.
"If they should ever be proven guilty, I think it's despicable to pull some of the stunts they did," said John Ondusko of Shenandoah.
Some people believe the suspensions without pay for the officers is a good move.
"If I did something wrong and you did something wrong we wouldn't get paid either. Would you get paid if you did something wrong by your company? No you wouldn't. You would be suspended and possibly even fired," said Neal DeLuca of Shenandoah.
Others believe council should pay the officers until the courts make a decision on their guilt or innocence.
"It isn't fair to them. They may not be guilty, you know. Make sure they're guilty until this is all straightened out the right way," said Ed Tunilla of Shenandoah.
Officials said state police have started assisting Shenandoah police in patrolling the borough. The borough is also looking to hire some part- time officers to fill in the gap.
Looking at Shenandoah you wouldn't suspect there is anything wrong but the borough is facing a crisis.
Shenandoah borough council decided the federal corruption charges lodged against four police officers were so serious that serious action had to be taken. All four were suspended without pay.
Some are accused of trying to cover up for Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak's role in the beating death of Mexican immigrant Luis Ramirez in 2008. The teens have been charged with hate crimes. Other officers are accused of protecting illegal gambling operations for money.
"If they should ever be proven guilty, I think it's despicable to pull some of the stunts they did," said John Ondusko of Shenandoah.
Some people believe the suspensions without pay for the officers is a good move.
"If I did something wrong and you did something wrong we wouldn't get paid either. Would you get paid if you did something wrong by your company? No you wouldn't. You would be suspended and possibly even fired," said Neal DeLuca of Shenandoah.
Others believe council should pay the officers until the courts make a decision on their guilt or innocence.
"It isn't fair to them. They may not be guilty, you know. Make sure they're guilty until this is all straightened out the right way," said Ed Tunilla of Shenandoah.
Officials said state police have started assisting Shenandoah police in patrolling the borough. The borough is also looking to hire some part- time officers to fill in the gap.
