What kind of Role Models are the Dormont Borough Police Department setting? They are acting like a bunch of children instead of men. This is an act of pure and simple "Retaliation" . Why doesn't the Borough Manager have his own parking space anyway????

Rob Apel's comment was deleted for violating our terms of service covering profanity. http://www.patch.com/terms He is welcome to repost his opinion without profanity. School children read this online news site.

Lee, once again you do not have your facts. Lets put them out there. If you attend meetings then you will know Mr. Rizza requested 14 parking spots be placed at the passive park site to have employee parking there in hope to accomodate Lifespan. He did not get approval for those 14 spaces therefore he removed reserved parking for the boro manager, the assistant manager, the police chief and the boro inspector. These signs were removed and clearly marked reserved for LIFESPAN PARKING OINLY. He parked there knowing he shouldn't and when Lifespan called to complain about the unauthorized vehicle parked it was issued a ticket. How ironic after he recieved his ticket he suddenly had a parking spot resigned reserved for boro mananger . This man acts and feels he is beyond reproach. He openly admitted in a public hearing he withheld information and interfered with a police investigation.
I do believe we have a few council members that do have the best interest of boro and I hope they untimately in the best interest of the boro when it comes to the situation of the hostile work enviroment all of the boro employees are having to cope with. It is unfortunate for this boro that certain members of council are still backing him. One of them being his former girlfriend. This will come full circle. They can't hide everything.

gino rizza is ridiculous. and this just made my day. ur the manager of dormont, not secretary of state. lets take it down a notch, shall we?

Hey Lee, who cowardly never signs his or her last name to his or her comments. You should do some real research into the matter and find out the full truth before giving your opinion. Obviously you do not volunteer for LifeSpan or you would not have an issue with the manager being cited for parking in their leased spots. As for the trespassing citation, if the manager was allowed to walk through uncontested and you were cited for doing the same exact thing, how much complaing would you do that he was allowed and you weren't? Why should he have his own parking space? THIS IS DORMONT!!! Park where you can and walk like everyone else. What kind of "role model" is the manager showing by trying to take liberties whenever he can.

http://dormont-brookline.patch.com/articles/dormont-looking-into-ticket-dismissals-by-mayor

remember this? Maybe Mr. Rizza should just pay the ticket like most people do. We all know that he makes more than enough to cover it, because him not wanting to pay the ticket is a loss of money for Dormont.

I haven't seen this much celebrating since Osama was found. I did hear that Gino was assisting the Pakistani government in helping to hide him all these years. If you think that is a ridiculous statement, you should start reading the other posts on here.

Spite is not a good quality for anyone, let alone a police officer. I'd like someone to post the law that was broken.

Mr. Keaney he was citied for trespassing. That is the law that was broken according to the article. He went into an "off limits" police area that it appears he is not allowed to be in without permission from an officer. There are many reasons why this could be an issue other than spit, if you read above I posted some of those reasons.

I would also ask, has this ever been an issue before? Is Gino the only manager to barge in to the station without asking permission? Bottom line is if there are rules why not just follow them? Manager or not! It appears as though Gino may have many good ideas for this borough but instead of communicating with the people he is in charge of he just bullies them around! Again I was at the meeting where Gino asked for more parking for lifespan so why would he then park in a space reserved for lifespan after he identified this as a problem?

So let me get this straight. If there is no parking in the lot I can park in a reserved spot instead of the lot on Hillsdale, correct? Or is that only for the Manager? I won't address the other incidents, but was it Mr. Rizza or Borough Manager Rizza who was questioning the ticket? It seems that he was acting as a private citizen at that point, so he has not right to enter a private area.

I have it on good authority that Gino frequently jaywalks too, like he's Jesus or something. How has he not once been cited for this recidivism--offenses equally as serious as this trespassing incident, based upon the scandalous details that are coming out.

Its very simple, he is a civilian employee who does not have the right to just walk into a police departments operations area, theres evidence inside the department, arrest files, juvenile arrest files, on going investigations, and officers personal property. Al of which could lead to Dormont Borough being held liable and fined from the Attorney Generals office if investigated, plus if you know your not liked why juust walk into the department and if somethings missing he will be blamed. Its typical politics and appears he thinks he is above the law like most managers, and politicians do. Most of you people in the civilian world have no clue what goes on inside a police department but if you were arrested and ciilians walked right in you would be crying afool that your case should be dismissed because evidence was tainted or missing. Dont tell police how to conduct their business when they dont tell you how to conduct your day to day job. Police have way too much responsibility these days than to cater to politicians above the law. What if Rizza walked in and the police were distracted fighting a suspect, and the suspect took the officers gun and shot Rizza and the police officers I bet some of you would wonder why Rizza was just allowed to walk into a police station threw the back door. By the way people you pay taxed correct in Dormont, I dont think that gives every citizen in Dormont to walk into the police department using that door also, NOT

"Cant we all just get along"? ~ Rodney King.
Honestly everytime I see another headline in this paper highlighting the pettiness and wasted energy and backbiting that seems to be going on in the leadership of this community it just disgusts me. Make no mistake I have the utmost respect for our police department. To some extent its my perception as a citizen of Dormont that the police department is being drawn into this drama that seems to be escalating from the boro managment. Enough! Stop the childishness and posturing and get down to the business of running this community as neighbors. There are plenty of problems that need to be addressed in this community without creating silly childish drama. This is NOT the Jersey Shore Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Dormont. Our community , our home.
A suggestion, if the powers that be in this boro are so out of touch with each other's position perhaps there should be a job swap initiated for a certain period of time. A week? A month? Maybe Gino Rizza could do Sgt. (Acting Chief) Ross's job and Sgt(Actng Chief) Ross could so Gino Rizza's job for a prescribed period of time and get a fresh perspective on each other's role's in this community. I guess that is a silly idea..a silly hope that such an activity might resolve some of the contention that is brewing in the boro building but no sillier than the assine behaviour that seems to just be escalating in those halls.

maybe all of us residents should walk into Ginos office during non business hours or when he is doing borough business. Perhaps his office door is locked at nighttime. I didnt know the borough manager swore an oath to protect and serve plus enforce state of pennsylvania laws. Its obvious Gino has issues with dormont police and they have issues with him. Perhaps Gina should worry about day to day operations within dormont and not how the police department is run, when the Mayor is the civilian official in charge of the police department. Gino why didnt you follow thye chain of command, or your ego just too big

Sweet! Rizza is a nutcase, with a track record of a reckless temper that I have seen first-hand. He was probably looking for a fight, as per usual. And intentionally crossed the line he was told not to cross. Guess he took some time away from tracking the police on GPS to confront them in person. He should've kept his parking place. Doofus. He could've just paid the ticket or plead not guilty. Hang in there police dept! New blood coming next year and hopefully some of the more sane members of council will see he's not just a time-bomb....he's already exploded many times.

Well well Dormont looking like a bunch of immature idiots again, Mr. Rizza you make us so proud!
Resign already.... We don't want you, the employees of the Boro don't want you and what a shock the Police have pressed charges against you. I can assume they don't want you either!

When I go to work and someone is in my private spot I do not just park my car in someones assigned spot. That is wrong on many levels. I do get upset, park and PAY a meter. Then go in call for that car to be ticketed and personally don't care if its the Pope's car.....he is getting a ticket. Simple as that......wrong is wrong. Gino sets a bad example as manager. And he should be ashamed of himself. And so what if the police pushed back to his terroristic behavior ? I applaude them for doing so within the scope of the law ! Send Gino to the unemployment line !

Why wasn't the door locked?

Why should the police lock a door that they use? Why can't Gino just follow the rules and stay out. Just because he keeps his door locked doesn't mean the police have to. Gino just feels he has the right to do what he wants and go where he wants. I am sure he will not resign and Council won't fire him because they do not feel he has done anything wrong. He lied to them and he still has a job.

Ok, so the borough says that because they own the building, the manager can go anywhere he wants, despite the privacy and legal issues of walking into the police department unannounced. This is their "legal" standing as mentioned in both articles here. Well, lets look at this in layman's terms. I, as I am sure some others, have rented in the past. Just because my landlord owned the building and he or his building "manager" had permission to enter the apartments, did not mean they could do it whenever they wanted. Everyone knows that that is not legal. They have to give you notice and a date and time they are going to be there. If they could just walk in, what if your wife's in the shower etc and if they did I'm sure you would take some type of action against them. Same thing here. From everything I have read, Gino has been told numerous times that he has to notify a police officer before entering the police department. He didn't and they acted accordingling. They're not denying him access, they just want him to follow proper procedures, which seems to be a problem for him.

I Googled Tresspassing in PA and found this. It seems to fit.
Defiant trespasser.--
(1) A person commits an offense if, knowing that he is
not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in
any place as to which notice against trespass is given by:
(i) actual communication to the actor;
(ii) posting in a manner prescribed by law or
reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders;
(iii) fencing or other enclosure manifestly designed
to exclude intruders;
(iv) notices posted in a manner prescribed by law or
reasonably likely to come to the person's attention at
each entrance of school grounds that visitors are
prohibited without authorization from a designated
school, center or program official; or
(v) an actual communication to the actor to leave
school grounds as communicated by a school, center or
program official, employee or agent or a law enforcement
officer.

Still no answers to the following questions:

1. Why would Mr. Rizza park in a space (even for 10 minutes) that was reserved for Lifespan after Mr. Rizza himself identified this as a problem?
2. Why would Mr. Rizza go to ask for a ticket to be dismissed after all the hell raising council (the one that supports him) did when the mayor was dismissing tickets?
3. Why can't Mr. Rizza just follow the same rules for entry in to the officer's area that EVERYONE ELSE FOLLOWS?

The established pattern is this "Rules apply to everyone else NOT MR. RIZZA!"

To Mr. Rizza's supporters on council and in the community, talk to the guy and get him to FOLLOW THE RULES! At least follow the ones he sets! I'm not bashing the guy here but come on the pattern is so obvious!

Other departments have similar rules for granting civilians access to police offices. Mt. Lebanon Police Lt. Aaron Lauth said only sworn officers, civilian police employees and a few municipal and fire department computer technicians can let themselves into the secured third floor of the Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Building. Any visitors, including municipal manager Steve Feller, are met at the entrance by police and accompanied to their destinations, Lauth said.

Read more: Dormont police citation disputed - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_741327.html#ixzz1OsUgbxVI

Is it me or does alot of this sound like "LITTLE MAN SYNDROME"!!!!

For all those who are interested in the fact checking, after talking with someone within the borough I found out the following:

1. The door is always locked.
2. Mr. Rizza along with other administrators does in fact have keys.
3. Every other administrator in the building who has a key is aware of the policy of not entering without permission. Most often a call is placed to the Police secretary ahead of time requesting access to this area.
4. Along with evidence and files the other area of concern is that a juvenile hold cell is in plain view of those who enter. There are many legal issues involving protection of juveniles.

Since the citations were given and the story has grown, Sgt Burke was put on administrative leave. Why??? And the bigger question is WHY was Gino NOT put on administrative leave????? He should be put on leave until the outcome of his hearing. Oh, I forgot, there are different rules for the police and the rest of Dormont than for the borough manager! Laurie Malka stated he can go ANYWHERE in the building he wants. So for anyone who god forbid has a family member who is raped, Gino can waltz through and grab the police schedule he so desires. Or an undercover drug investigation is blown because he can go where he pleases. This is a circus and thank goodness for new blood coming into council. They will hopefully put a stop to all of this. NO OTHER DEPT allows their borough manager to behave like this. It appears that Sgt Burke was doing his job. Now the police are reprimanded for doing their job. Gino is the person who made the parking spots LifeSpan parking-which is clearly posted. HE PARKED ILLEGALLY!!!! He should receive a ticket. And as for entering a restricted area in the police department-that's a no brainer! This council is so out of control and defending a man who clearly thinks he is above the law. While Sgt Burke is on PAID adm. leave, there is a lot of overtime created. His shifts will need filled. Council will have Ian draw another chart and turn this OT around on the police again. Oh here is an idea-HIRE!!!!

The dept is not covered when officers are out on injury, vacation, etc. In this case....adm leave. Ian could step up and be "acting borough manager" while Gino is out on leave. He could earn the raise he was just given!!! This is the SECOND criminal offense of this borough manager. He openly admitted UNDER OATH he interfered and withheld information during an ongoing police investigation. Maggio's eyes are open now after he stated that Gino is a problem. If the primaries didn't open Drew Lehman's eyes on what the people of Dormont want, I don't know what will! And to comment on Lehman's statement in today's Trib about the employees not leaving. Let me educate you. There are no lateral transfers in Pennsylvania for police officers. These officers have families to think about. If they leave where they are, they lose their years on the job and start over at the bottom in seniority and pay. I think quite of few have researched leaving because they are so miserable. Drew Lehman has proven his dislike for the police and his support for Gino. Sgt Burke being put on leave is another form of council harassing the police. The people of Dormont want a change and it is coming!

C'mon. This is Dormont.

According to the Spring Newsletter, 3 police officers made over $100K when you add in overtime. Two sargaents made over $130K. 12 of 13 officers made over 70K. The median household income in Dormont is $45K. Anyone see the disconnect?

Get the wages paid back in line with the income earned by other Dormonters.

Just remember the adage "you get what you pay for". The Dormont officers are professionals regardless of the biased misinformation posted here. I have lived in Dormont since 1987 and my mother has been a resident even longer than that. Over the years Ive had occassion to require the assistance of the police and they have each and every time been prompt courteous professional and I for one am very very grateful we have a fine police force to rely upon. In 2009 my mother suffered severe health problems and had to have the ambulance to her home many times. The officers of the Dormont Police Department were the first responders until the Tri Boro ambulance could arrive. Those officers were able to reach my mother even before I could get there and provided her support until the medical personnel arrived. I know there were a few times the officer had to leave right away to answer a waiting call. As far as I am concerned I would prefer my tax dollars to pay for their valued services and NOT Mr Rizza's legal fees.

REG
You comment makes no sense. The income of other Dormonters has nothing to with the police income. So everyone who lives in the same town should make the same money?
These officers put far more than a 40 hour work week in to make that money. Any person working 60-70 hours per week should get paid for it. Police or any other job. Maybe if they would hire more officers, these men would not have to work so much. Paying an officer a regular salary to cover a shift would save more money in the long run than paying OT. Regardless, they deserve what they make for the hours they out in.

Does anyone know why the officer was sitting in the police station during rush hour (8:30 a.m.)? I think our community would have benefited more if he was protecting and serving our children as they commute to school.

Lee, are you kidding me. Maybe he had to use a restroom. Even police need to use restroom now & then.

Lee, maybe you can borrow Gino's police GPS and track them all day and night. Or maybe Gino can physically tag the police so he can watch the actual officers, not just the cars. That way he could see if they were near his car writing a ticket...and when they are in the bathroom... Or maybe Gino already lets other people look at the police GPS.

Why was the officer in that parking lot anyway - don't the officers park the police cars on the other side of the building on Glenmore Avenue????

Right Samantha.

These guys are police officer, not brain surgeons. Total wages paid can't get out of line with the incomes of other Dormonters. There's no reason why the median police wage should be any different than the median wage in the borough.

Lee, the question again is why was Gino parked in the Lifespan parking spot? The bonus to this whole deal is new council comes in January. We will get a new manager with experience and professionalism. The new council will have their work cut out for them with all of the embarrassment some of the current council members have caused this boro. Ask anyone you know working in local government and they will tell you this council and management is the lauging stock of the county. It is ironic that this is the first council and management in Dormonts history that cannot work with the other employees inthe boro. Go figure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gino and Ian were told by e-mail,word of mouth and the doors at the station were and still are posted police personnel only and for five months they would call to get permission to enter the police station. Every Friday Ian calls the police desk to get permission to enter the station to deliver mail thats gets dropped off to council members. Then why did Gino just enter the station on this day? Because the hot head got a parking ticket, lost his temper and went into the station and confronted the officer that gave him the ticket. Plain and simple!!! So now the question is can Gino,Ian or anyone on council just do whatever they want and break the laws? What if an officer happens to pull over one of them for DUI are they going to let a drunk drive away because they are in fear of doing thier job? Council members you might want to take a step back on this one and ask the question is this the route we want to take. Go ask your high priced attorney how much this might cost all of us in legal fees. Kim you didn't do real well on the witness stand, in fact you got torn apart. Something tells me that wont be your only appearence on a witness stand. When your in your ex sessions do you ever look across the table at your attorney and say you know what mr. enough is enough your style is putting dormont in the newspaper more than we need to be and then look at Gino and say maybe it's time for a change?

According to the news Council met last night in executive session to discuss our lovely manager. No decision was made, that's a surprise, but at least this has gotten their attention. Maybe Joan can talk some sense into the others.

They did not meet to discuss Gino or his job status, they met so that their attorney could tell them all how to proceed with his " investigation" into the police dept. You would think they would be a bit concerned that their manager has been cited for tresspassing but it doesn't matter to them. He can do whatever he wants and it makes me wonder why? Council( and I know everyone one of you read this) what did you do about Gino admitting that he withheld info from a police investigation? That is a crime you do know that? Remember Kim your testimony " we would have to deal with him if he did that" that's what you said, now what did you do? He cost Drew the election and Kim has no chance she must realize that so that leaves John. You should be smart enough to see how this is going to unfold. Everyone has had enough 32 workers signed that letter for a reason.

What I find so telling is that the people that support Mr. Rizza come on here and respond to facts and educated posts with attacks on those who post them. But none of you have answered the simple question, why can't Mr. Rizza just follow the rules that are good enough for everyone else?

For those of you making stupid comments about the police wages and where they should be through out the day. Remember what Forrest Gumps mamma used to say! Stupid is as stupid does. To ask why an officer is in the station instead of out driving the streets was brilliant. You must be a professor. Tell me what your complaint would be if he was out driving the streets on one side of Dormont and something happened on the other side. And since you're an expert on "retaliation", what do you call what Gino did to officer Burke for doing his Job. I'll bet you have a good explanation for that. Or you'll only have one side of the story and that will not even be the truth. As for the wages, before all of you professors make comments about wages and overtime, ask your relative or friend on council to tell the whole story when trying to decieve the community. Alot of the overtime wages are paid for from outside companies that request Dormont to have Police officers at their site. You won't get that info from council because it will ruin their alterior motives. As for departmental overtime do you really want to have a shorage in officers when one is out sick or off due to injury or suspended for "Little Man Syndrome" reasons. You all cry enough when they're not patroling where you think they should be, we don't need to hear you cry about not having enough officers on the street. You all need to dig deep for the truth in why this is all happening before opening your mouths.

Daniele facts have been presented on here. Facts like Mr.Rizza parked in a reserved space that he requested be reserved and requested enforcement. I think you were at the meeting where he asked for this to happen. Facts like the door was locked and nobody else enters without permission other than Mr. Rizza. Facts like he was warned for months not to do this by Chief Ross. Facts like he turned around and suspended a Sergeant for not letting him out of a personal ticket. Those are some of the "facts" I'm refering to. Please do not insult me to think for one minute that I was refering to the many rude comments made on either side of the argument as the "facts." You hide from the truth Daniele. When your called on it you duck behind other comments made on here and bring up only the negitive ones. You asked if the door was locked in an eariler post, you said it would "make a difference" then when it is discovered that it is locked you hide behind other comments. As for the police picking on Mr. Rizza, I'm sure they are! I'm sure they knew it was is car and cited him. Can you really expect any less considering how Mr. Rizza has treated them. It is called getting a taste of your own medicine! Respect is earned and it works both ways! I'm sure we can at least agree on that.

So, if the police recognize my car, can I park illegally and just have them come look for me and ask me to move? How about the council members? Some of them or all of them? Where does it end? Or, does that special treatment only apply to the borough manager? Who gets to decide which rules should be followed and which can be disregarded?

How does everyone feel about their tax dollars paying the legal fees for a defense attorney to represent the manager who can't seem to follow rules? I don't think many people have that perk as part of their salary package. He breaks the law and we get to pay for it. Think about that next time you hit a pothole or see something else in Dormont that could use some attention. Speaking of wasted money - this manager is the first in Dormont history to have a paid publicist. So, whether or not you agree with the above "Statement", if you live in Dormont, you paid for it.

A publicist? Seriously? For Mr. Rizza personally? Who approved this? Who is this person and what is their relationship to Mr. Rizza? Apparently not a very good publicist either as all Ive seen in the news recently is very very bad publicity about him and for Dormont. Accountability huh? Again, I want my tax dollars spent on public safety NOT personal legal fees and this frivolous position of a publicist.

She is supposed to handle PR for the "borough" and she was hired a year or two ago. It was approved by most of the members on council. There is $10,000 in the budget for her this year. She was known by some of the council members before she was hired but, I don't know if she knew Rizza as well. She writes articles about the pool, theatre and other things this group supports. I heard she writes Gino's article for him for the newsletter, but I don't know this for certain. There are a lot of things going on that need questioned.

Thank you for that information Mary Beth. I find it odd that there is $10,000 in the budget for a publicist but people are up in arms about the police budget. If I need a police officer I certainly dont want them to send out a publicist to help me.

A publicist? Apparently she is doing the same bang up job the borough manager is doing! What a joke! That $10,000 could be put to much better use!

Mary Beth,

After reading the article above, do you really think a publicist would take responsibility for writing that "statement"? ......or an attorney? Just asking.

Mary,

We are paying for a PR person (Fact - $10,000 budgeted for her) and most likely we'll be paying for Rizzza's defense attorney. So, no matter which one wrote that particular statement, the taxpayers in Dormont are paying for it. Actually, the PR person would most likely be cheaper than what the attorney would charge.

How did we get so far? What has brought us to this sad state of affairs? I have lived in Dormont since 1972 and while politics has always been "interesting" on the democrat’s side, it has never been this bad. What happened? I know as a community we have always had problems but this is getting out of hand. Name calling, making enemies over the budget, pool or skate park is ridiculous. Everyone has the right to disagree with someone else but why does it have to turn nasty. My opinion is that council and borough management are responsible to make policy and control spending. However, they should NEVER go in to office with the goal of screwing around with people's lively hoods. The police, fire department and the employees of the borough should also recognize that they are a part of this community and if the borough is struggling financially, then everyone needs to work together to come up with a solution. I would suggest that everyone stop the hostilities. That council, the mayor, the borough manager, police and fire chiefs and the manager of the street and park departments get themselves locked in the borough building and work out their issues. Anyone not willing to make the attempt should resign immediately. Bring in an outside source to mediate the process. Set an agenda of what they would like to achieve document issues and work through until a resolution is determined. Otherwise the only people going to benefit from these hostilities is the lawyers.