Beaver County Officials have begun taking security precautions independent of the Sheriff’s Office, as tensions in the courthouse continue to mount. Law enforcement sources tell the Beaver Countian that both County Detectives and the Pennsylvania State Police have been contacted by county officials expressing security concerns.
The Law Department received approval from Commissioners to have a security system installed in their offices last week, which operates independently of the courthouse-wide system controlled by Sheriff David. The system includes a door buzzer with video intercom, wireless viewing station, a remotely operated electronic lock, and keypad entry. That move came after County Detectives encouraged the solicitors to keep their doors locked at all times.
County Commissioners and Beaver County Court Administrator Rich DeFilippi have obtained a printout of everyone who has an electronic pass to enter the courthouse. The passes allow an individual to bypass the metal detectors by accessing auxiliary entrances. Individuals with passes can also enter the courthouse after hours or during the weekend. “We determined that there were just far, far too many people entering the courthouse that way,” said Commissioner Dennis Nichols. “All three Commissioners are going to sit down with Rich [DeFilippi] and decide who really needs to have a pass, and who doesn’t, on a case-by-case basis.”
One row official, who spoke on condition they not be identified by name, had internal dead-bolt locks installed on three separate rooms in their office last week. The official said they have instructed staff to rush into the ad hoc safe rooms, one of which is a small kitchenette, in case of an emergency. “My employees don’t feel safe,” said the official. “I’m not sure if these locks would really make a difference if something happened, but at least it’s something.”
District Attorney Anthony Berosh declined to comment specifically, but did confirm to the Beaver Countian he was approached by a staff member of yet another row official, who expressed concerns their offices had been rummaged through on several separate nights.
After the Beaver Countian first wrote about security concerns at the courthouse in a February 3rd editorial, officials say they were approached by Michael Debona, who is the courthouse’s nightwatchman. “He came into my office and said Sheriff David sent him to ask everyone if anything was stolen, or if they felt intimidated by any deputies,” said one official who had been approached by Debona. “I told him no because I wanted him out of my office. Why would I tell him anything?”
Michael Debona is Sheriff David’s former campaign manager, and has been an outspoken critic of the Commissioners since their dispute with David over private security services began. Debona was one of the speakers at a biker rally on the courthouse steps organized by Sheriff David last September, and had publicly posted antagonizing comments after David’s supporters became abusive at a public meeting of Commissioners. “I think the fact [Sheriff David] sent Debona around to everyone’s office was an act of intimidation itself,” said another county official.
Note: In the interest of full disclosure, the Beaver Countian has released a statement regarding an incident involving Sheriff George David and this reporter.
29 Comments From Our Readers
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I’ve been reading about this whole situation for weeks now. I think all parties involved need to sit down and work this out. It is getting ridiculous and petty now. They are all starting to look like bimbos!!!! your grown men and women, work it out already!!!!
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You cant negotiate with crazy
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will this never end?
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Boy, it took you forever to get to the point of this article and reinforce the headline. Maybe you should have retitled it the Beaver County Workplace Drama….
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What a shame for the people who work there. This is supposed to be one of the safest places, the halls of justice so they say. I don’t work there but I have heard that a lot of employees don’t feel safe. I have heard of intimidation, screaming, flipping out but people keep it to there self because no one seems to help. Sad isn’t it. What ever happened with the incident of the gun and people being threatened? NOTHING. TIME TO DO SOMETHING NOW PROTECT YOUR PEOPLE.
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It seems pretty clear that intimidation tactics are being initiated by George……it is time for the DA to grow a set and arrest him…..god knows that lately he would have his choice of charges to file.
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http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/what-does-a-sheriff-do/
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I don’t think that it’s mandatory for a sheriff to have his office in the court house. I’m not sure but if that’s so, get sheriff David out of there. It seems that the whole court house is terrified of him. Either that or the other employees should stage a walk out. Perhaps then, someone will get off their asses.
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And we the taxpayers are paying again!
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With all the “security” measures these offices are taking, you can probably get into Fort Knox easier than you can the Courthouse. Here’s a thought.. Instead of installing security systems, at tax payers expense, i’m sure, why doesn’t the Sheriff get some of these high paid, do nothing deputies who sit around and play on their cell phones all day, or stand around the halls being all chatty with the ladies! It’s sad everyone has to come to work in fear and have to deal with all of this on a daily basis. I remember when it used to be a fun place to work..not anymore! This is such an embarrassment to everyone else who works hard in these offices and tries to avoid all of the drama! When will this end??
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Oh you must mean Tallon…The high paid skirt sniffer. This will all end when someone takes action against the sheriff, weather he be removed from office, arrested , committed or all of the above. I feel it should be all of the above. County employees are on edge over this idiot. No one should feel unsafe at their work place and the Commissoners better act soon before something awful happens.
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When an government organization fears who they serve this much they really should reconsider how they treat those they serve.
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I get it, the sheriff’s office is corrupt and things need to change but does nothin else news worthy happen in Beaver County? I joined this site initially because it was very informative and brought to light a number of issues going on in the county but as of late it seems the only thing reported is about the sheriff. Please broaden the reporting.
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That is what the BCT is for. Bye!
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I might not fully understand, but what exactly do the employees not feel safe about? Is it just an internal threat? Or external threats. The courthouse is not exactly Fort Knox and I would assume that if you wanted to get something by security it would be possible, but it’s still very safe. In the grand scheme of things, and I know the Sheriff is a wacko and might go off the deep end some day but you are still safer in the courthouse than in the parking garage or on any street in Beaver County. It’s just a fact.
So can anyone elaborate why they don’t feel safe In the courthouse?
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@ mvee your a smart person, I’m sure you remember how this Grand Jury investigation started. There is a lot of bad blood with the sheriff and alot of people, stories of flipping out , screaming, threats. All the signs are there, not only him certain deputies stare you down, tring to intimidate people and call names under there breath it’s getting worse because he’s not getting his way, he can’t do private security any more, so him and his deputies are mad. we heard stories of a deputy flipping and screaming the other day. No one will do any thing and people are scared. How would you like listening to that? A few of them aren’t playing with a full deck. People there are afraid one of them will flip.
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Sure one of them may flip. But then again they may not.
I can offer a solution to intimidation. Stare them down if they do the same. If you are harassed by a deputy then report it and call the Beaver Police or the State Police or just skip to the chase and call the FBI. Screaming at you? Whip out your cell phone and put it on Youtube. Or just tell em flat out to Fuck off.
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My opinion — these are inside jobs that are related to criminal charges current and pending, and there is an effort to destroy, access or compromise evidence files. Watergate redux — and the “tapes” are again being erased. It would help if the persons victimized directly by this filled in the details, though, to this site or to the State Police. Acquire a screen name, hide your identity and have someone else write your input here, or anonymously report to higher authorities. Don’t rely upon JP to be able to dig it all out. My guess is that some people know exactly what’s happening and who is doing it, but won’t come forth out of fear of retaliation. If felonies are being committed, expose the people and call in the State Police and/or the FBI. As I have posted before, Felony arrests and convictions are the only real paths to access the PA General Assembly and the Governor to take decisive action against elected officials. Recalls rarely work in PA, since there is no written procedure for them as in other states, the officials won’t resign, and the local courts are essentially powerless. So, it’s moto perpetuo until the crooks go to trial for conviction. If you are literally hiding in a locked closet, it’s time to come out of it. Think about it, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. And consider the outside possibility that the breaches are not the work of the Sheriff’s office at all, but are instead current or past employees or their agents trying to erase or compromise damaging information. Bruce Willis is dying hard, Daniel Craig is undercover, and Liam Neeson is too expensive. So, it’s up to you, or, Tom Cruise.
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In the interest of full disclosure, similar issues do exist elsewhere. Some of you might know about the “famous” man at the link below, but check out Sheriff Joseph “Joe” Arpaio, the self-proclaimed “America’s Toughest Sheriff”, and you might want to nominate Sheriff George David for the vacant job in Rome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio
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O.K., I retract the Rome joke.
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i liked the rome joke LOL!
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Come on Rubric-Don’t go all John Kerry on us now! You want some syrup for that waffle there?
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Well I have a (some) questions here. which individual(s) have too much access, what are they taking and for who?
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Let’s flush some more money down the drank……. This whole thing is stupid….. Just impeach the George…. And move on……. Take away his concealed carry permit….. This is a waste of media…. Let’s see some positive stories
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Friendship ridge had a real threat. Security is now locked doors and a security gaurd at the entrance to sign in guests and hand out visitor badges, no metal detectors. The courthouse doesn’t feel safe and they put in state of the art security measures. Also they publize where people will hide, I would really feel safe. Once again the wheels of power prevail. Friendship ridge has long paid for many perks of the county is this one of them??? Did FR have a dare i say profit that needed to disappear????
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Who was in that Law Department office that had a key before the current occupants? Don’t they change the locks with office turnovers?
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@OhBrother: Perceptive. I’m trying to avoid ad hominem comments. The guy in Rome is mortal, isn’t he? Or is it half and half?
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Psychopaths