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Monongahela secures help of drug task force
sbeveridge@observer-reporter.com
MONONGAHELA - Bob Kepics had been in office for only a month as mayor of Monongahela when he called a meeting of Mon Valley mayors and police chiefs to talk about the region's drug problem.
A few weeks later, in February, he called another meeting. Just like before, no one from the larger municipalities showed up, not even the outspoken mayor of Charleroi who has declared his own "war" on drugs.
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And with an unusually high 21 drug arrests in the city so far this year, Kepics - as the boss of the police department - is happy with the progress.
His first order of business in January was to demote the former police chief, Denny Mendicino, to sergeant and name veteran officer Brian Tempest as chief.
Kepics then ordered all seven officers to undergo a drug test. Officer George Langan was immediately suspended, without city officials giving a reason why he was pulled from the schedule.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act prevents the city from discussing in public why the officer was suspended, Kepics said.
Members of the department will be randomly pulled into Tempest's office again next month for drug tests, the chief said.
After taking the helm in January, Tempest focused on cleaning up the police department, where holding cells were soiled with urine. He even invited inmates of Washington County Jail to perform the cleanup detail.
Then, he extended an invitation to Washington County District Attorney Steve Toprani to bring his drug task force to Monongahela.
The city's police officers since have been instrumental in helping the task force make 17 arrests. David L. Withum, 50, of Finleyville, ranks as number 17 on a chalkboard Tempest keeps in his office and calls the "wall of shame."
Withum is considered to be a major supplier of multiple bricks of heroin from Duquesne to the Monongahela area, court records show.
He was arrested Sept. 23 on charges of possession and delivery of 43 stamp bags of heroin and placed in Washington County Jail on $10,000. He later was released after posting bond and is awaiting trial in county court.
"He's certainly a cog," Toprani said, referring to Withum. "He's a very heavy hitter."
Main Street and the side alleys have been much quieter since the drug task force went to work in the city, said Barbara Mayfield, who owns a small restaurant downtown.
"When I can look outside and not see open drug deals, it's awesome," said Mayfield, owner of The Bee's Nest Cafe.
"It was bad around here," added one of her customers, Mark Maisano of Monongahela. "Some people were scared to walk down the street."
The investigation in Monongahela has been a success, he said, because of the "unique support" from Kepics and Tempest.
Another five drug suspects from Monongahela were arrested last week in an unrelated sting across the Mon Valley carried out by the FBI, Toprani and state and local police.
Warrants were issued for 61 suspected dealers, many of whom are tied to competing gangs that have been carrying out gunfights in Donora and Monessen.
That sting also netted Anthony James "Jinx" Law, 23, formerly of Charleroi, who is accused of shooting two Monessen men with a shotgun in broad daylight across the street from a crack house.
"It's ridiculous to have a mid-afternoon shooting on McKean Avenue in Donora," Toprani said.
Donora, which has a struggling economy, is down to three full-time police officers and a superintendent. Its mayor and police Superintendent Jim Brice are among those who did not attend the meetings Kepics called to discuss the drug problem.
Donora Mayor John Lignelli said he was unavailable to attend the meetings Kepics called. Charleroi Mayor Frank Paterra said last week that he didn't recall receiving an invitation to the meetings.
"I honestly don't understand why a lot of other communities are not beating down the door to the drug task force office," Tempest said.
"We want the drug dealers to know that when they hear someone knocking, it's not the Avon lady. It's the drug task force."
The word is now on the street that dealers should stay out of Monongahela, Tempest said. While conducting surveillance recently, the task force used a confidential informant to lure a dealer to the city. The drug buy appointment was, instead, scheduled for Donora because the seller was afraid to drive to the city.
"That's what we want," Tempest said.
The Force Stands Together : 10/13/2008
As you read these comments, of the force:being township,city,boro, police chiefs,detectives,state police, mayors, under cover and federal agents,district attorneys, and the drug task force,stand up and do whats right. Let your force know, what you know. Send it by mail ! Stand up for the forces !
Monongahela secures task force : 10/13/2008
I am here to tell you that there is a VISIBLE difference in the City. Come on Donora and Charleroi-----get on board!! What's the hold up?
TASK FORCE : 10/13/2008
AS USAL CHARLEROI MAYOR PATERA ALL TALK AND NO SHOW
Monongahela Drug Task Force : 10/14/2008
Someone should invite the Finleyville Mayor - does he realize how bad the drugs are in Finleyville?
