If anyone has info on this, please contact MLPD

I received an anonymous email today. The parent didn't want to provoke them, in case there was intent to harm, and later contacted the police and the school district. Here is the email:

I am a mt Lebanon parent with a daughter in Kindergarten. Today while 
playing with my daughter on the Lincoln elementary school playground three 
kids in dark clothes, wearing hoodies walked in a slow intentional way 
through the playground. One was wearing a clown mask that looked like it 
was purchased at a Halloween store. The other two were wearing
Gas masks. I approached the individual wearing the clown mask, asked her if 
she was aware of the threat, and asked her to leave the park, and not wear 
the mask near a school or park in the future. She was resistant and 
defensive and may not have left if I did not reference the raised police 
awareness. They appeared to be young teenagers. The clown was a female. The 
other two appeared to be male.


Please contact Mt. Lebanon Police by dialing 911 or emailing the police chief at alauth@mtlebanon.org if anyone has more information concerning this situation.

Keystone Oaks Teacher Accused Of Inappropriate Behavior

According to a release from The Keystone Oaks School District, officials have “become aware of allegations of inappropriate behavior between a teacher employed at Keystone Oaks High School and high school students.”

The statement goes on to say that the District is cooperating with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department and other authorities as they conduct their investigations.

Read more Keystone Oaks Teacher Accused Of Inappropriate Behavior

Highlights from yesterday's hearing

I was reminded of some of the priceless moments from yesterday's hearing. Aside from the stress factor, it was quite entertaining at times. I wish more than six of us were able to attend to watch the craziness.

Please understand that I am not a lawyer, so I may not be using the correct terminology. The judge introduced the case and mentioned that Amy was charged an $800 fine for harassment. By his reaction, whether it was rolling his eyes or saying something like wow, Judge Nauhaus made it clear that $800 was excessive. Judge Nauhaus allowed the assistant district attorney to begin. The ADA started to talk about the archery program in Mt. Lebanon. The judge interrupted her by saying in so many words, why are you telling us this? Everyone in the city of Pittsburgh could read about it in the Post Gazette every day. The judge let her continue. When she mentioned White Buffalo, the judge mocked the name.

During his testimony, the ADA questioned the PA Game Commissioner about harvesting the deer. The Hon. Judge Nauhaus cut them off at the knees while rolling his eyes and asked, "What do you mean by 'harvesting?' Do you mean killing? Then just say it. All these euphemisms are silly."

Nauhaus asked the PAGC a hypothetical question. "Let's say, I was a resident in Mt. Lebanon." Then he rolled his eyes and made a snide remark about never wanting to live here.

The room had pretty much cleared out by the time Amy's case was heard. As I mentioned before, it was standing room only. The judge suggested that those who were still standing could probably find a seat. One of Mt. Lebanon's finest, continued to stand on the side of the room with his arms folded, looking really tough with his sunglasses on his forehead. Remember, the room had been filled with city cops, as well as cops from all over. A couple of the Pittsburgh cops, who were sitting on the sidelines awaiting their turns, were laughing out loud at Judge Nauhaus’ comments about White Buffalo and Mt. Lebanon. Pittsburgh cops must think our police force is a joke.

It was comforting and frightening at the same time, knowing that we're not the crazy ones here. We are being govern by a bunch of idiots.

Police dressed as archers dressed as golfers?

This is getting more ludicrous by the day. I heard that "someone" suggested having our police department pose as hunters while sitting in tree stands. They wouldn't be hunting, but would be on a stakeout for yahoos and poachers during our five months of killing deer. Jody Maddock had told us at the June 22 meeting that he has had archers dress like golfers on golf courses, to blend in more. My question is would our police be dressed as archers dressed as golfers?  Comedy writers need to come to Mt. Lebanon for inspiration.

A question came up about Twin Hills. Who do we call if we see tree stands in Twin Hills? Here is the answer. Call 911. Describe the location of the tree stand to the dispatcher. They will determine whether to dispatch a Scott Township officer or Mt. Lebanon officer.

After the last meeting, Commissioner Dave Brumfield told a few residents that Mt. Lebanon doesn't  have the manpower to control speeders, but they can do something about the deer. Here we go again, putting Mt. Lebanon's finest on deer patrol.

Important message from Chief Coleman McDonough

CALL 9-1-1!!!  

An important reminder from Chief Coleman McDonough….

As a relative newcomer to Mt. Lebanon (I’ve only been the Chief of Police here for five years), perhaps I’m just not yet familiar with some of the customs or traditions that have evolved here over time. Many Mt. Lebanon residents pride themselves on their welcoming attitude toward strangers, and go out of their way to welcome new people to their neighborhoods. Based on recent events, I can only assume that as an extension of that spirit of hospitality, some of our residents are apparently NOT alarmed when they run into strangers inside their own homes. Were our residents suitably alarmed, one might assume they would CALL THE POLICE when they encounter intruders in their homes.

Recently we’ve had at least two occasions when Mt. Lebanon residents have discovered strangers inside their homes. In both cases, the residents waited literally hours to call 911 to report the intruders.   Another resident discovered a strange man attempting to turn the knob on the front door; she too failed to call the police for several hours. Two of these three incidents occurred on the same day and in the same neighborhood as another successful burglary.

The Mt. Lebanon Police can help deter crime here, but without citizens taking common sense steps to assist us, our mission is much more difficult.  Compare the failure of our burglary/trespass victims to call 911 to a recent robbery victim’s actions; by immediately dialing 911, the robbery victim ensured we were able to quickly respond and take two suspects into custody within minutes.

If you believe a crime may be occurring, or if you simply think something is suspicious, please don’t hesitate toCALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. If it turns out to be just a “misunderstanding”, we’ll sort that out when we get there. Better to apologize to someone who mistakenly enters your home than to allow a burglar to walk away and return to your neighborhood to prey on you and your neighbors.

If you suspect something isn’t right, here’s the short version:

What NOT to do:

-          Wait for your wife or husband to come home?         NOPE

-          Call Aunt Myrtle for advice?                                          NOPE

-          Email your Mt. Lebanon Commissioner?                   NOPE

-          Call the maintenance man at your church?               NOPE

-          Post a query on Facebook?                                             NOPE

What to DO:

                                       CALL 911

                Repeat after me .  . .       CALL 911 !!!!!!

Shame on Remely

I can't believe I read this. Dan Remely is putting down our police and fire department in the Trib article,  Renovation change orders could cost Mt. Lebanon School District $200 K

“Our illustrious police department and fire department are spending a heck of a lot of our money,” he said, noting that their reviews required more safety measures."

The PG caught that comment too. Mt. Lebanon school board nears decision on rifle range

Board member Dan Remely expressed concerns about the possibility of representatives from Mt. Lebanon's police, fire and inspection offices determining if additional safety features are needed.

 THAT HE QUESTIONS? This isn't the first time Dan Remely has questioned our fire department. I am sorry, but I would NEVER question our police and fire department when it comes to our schools - or any time!!! We're talking about our children's safety.

This is what you get when we have four seats and four candidates running for school board. They can do and say anything they want, because they're in!

On a side note, the Trib picked up on Ostergaard's comment.

Board member Dale Ostergaard said he's worried because the district approved changes costing more than $300,000 last month.
“If we continue at this pace, we're going to run out of contingency (money) in eight months,” he said.

Someone asked me where I find the change orders on the school district website. That is a good question. They aren't listed in any particular section. You have to go to mtlsd.org. On the left hand side of the home page, click on "School Board." At the top of that page, click on "Agendas." In order to find the change orders, click on every agenda listed and the change orders for that month will be there. There is no running total available on the District website. To get that, file a Right To Know. Or look on the right hand side of this blog.

Police to start walking through Lebo schools UPDATED

Mt. Lebanon police officers will begin unannounced, random walk-throughs of schools in the Mt. Lebanon School District, the superintendent told parents in an email Wednesday.

The uniformed officers will be on normal patrol, so the service will not cost the district anything extra, district spokeswoman Cissy Bowman said.

"We are very fortunate to have a positive working partnership with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department and look forward to this increased presence in our schools," superintendent Timothy Steinhauer said.

The walk-throughs come as part of a district-wide review of safety and security procedures, he said.

"As always, our priority is to maintain a safe school environment for our students and staff," Mr. Steinhauer said.

Following the Newtown, Conn. shootings in mid-December, the superintendent immediately launched a review of the district's safety and security procedures, processes and training, Ms. Bowman said.

The committee conducting the review will meet at the end of the month to decide if any other changes are necessary, she said.

Police to begin unannounced, random walk-throughs of Mt. Lebanon schools

Update January 17, 2013 9:15 AM Dr. Steinhauer's email to parents

Judges rule to cap Mt. Lebanon police pension plan

In July 2006, thirteen Mt. Lebanon retired police officers and several active police officers went to their pension plan administrator over a grievance with the COLA cap, but the administrator denied the petition. It then went to the Commissioners, and then to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, and finally to Commonwealth Court.

Commonwealth Court ruled the Mt. Lebanon police union's interpretation of COLA benefits violate Act 205, the Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act.

According to Judge Jubelirer, Mt. Lebanon's actuary, G. Herbert Loomis, testified that his cost estimate was based on a 15 percent COLA cap and that an analysis of a 90 percent COLA cap would have significantly increased the projected financial impact of the plan modification.

This ruling will save the municipality thousands of dollars a year.

Court disallows higher benefit for Mt. Lebanon police retirees