The versatility of the Port Allegany Police Department’s staff was called upon in the week that began January 31 and ended February 6, as officers found themselves dealing with medical emergencies, concern for a dog, relationship meltdowns and the aftermaths of fights.

A 9 a.m. last Monday Chief Dave Distrola was dispatched to the Vo-Tech parking lot to check on the well-being of a dog what was reported to be in the back of a truck. Distrola found that the dog was in a truck bed with an enclosed cap, parked at the school while the owner, Terry Lawson of Elizabethtown, was attending a class. The dog had water and appeared to be fine. Distrola contacted the SPCA and told them of the situation.

Last Tuesday morning at 11:30 a.m. Distrola was dispatched to Maple Street to investigate a reported assault. He found that Jared Nellis was alleged to have been punched in the nose by Vince Floyd. Later it developed that Nellis did not want charges filed. 

That afternoon at 2:15 Distrola initiated a search warrant on an East Smethport residence in connection with a theft said to have occurred at a Port Allegany residence. The search did not turn up any evidence, so no charges will be filed based on the search. 

At 4:30 p.m. last Tuesday Officer Kyle Day received a complaint that a dog was running loose on Pearl Street. Day located the owners and advised them not to let their dog run in violation of the ordinance pertaining to dog owner responsibilities.

That night at 10:30 Day was dispatched to 24 Main Street because of a report of neighbors arguing. It turned out that the argument was about the earlier incident  alleged to have involved Floyd’s fist and Nellis’s nose. Further information indicated that Nellis had called Floyd a name, and Floyd had taken umbrage at that. Day tried to get the two men to reconcile, but they were not so inclined. No charges were filed.

Wednesday morning Nellis came to the police station and provided a written request that no assault charges be filed against Floyd.

At 12:15 p.m. Distrola was dispatched to an Arnold Avenue residence to be of assistance in an emergency involving a medical problem. Someone was having a diabetic emergency. Chief Distrola stood by until medical personnel arrived.

Shortly after that Distrola was dispatched to Park Lane for a reported overdose. He found that a 14-year old female had taken an unknown number of prescription sleeping aid pills. She was transported by ambulance. Her mother indicated that she would have the child admitted for mental health evaluation. No charges will be filed in connection with the incident.

At 1:30 p.m. there was a report from Dorla Turner of Church Street that she had received phone calls purporting to be from a collection agency, directing her to send money to the company via Western Union. Turner considered the phone calls to be part of a scam. Distrola used the information to contact the company and found it to be “evasive in providing information.” 

That evening at 9:15 Officer Adam Dickerson was called to East Mill Street where juveniles were said to be sledding in the roadway. The youngsters were gone when Dickerson got there. 

Thursday afternoon Dickerson received a complaint of harassment from Chelsie Tarr concerning threatening text messages she said her ex-boyfriend, Josh Cotto, had been sending. Investigation is continuing, with charges possible.

At 9:45 a.m. Friday Chief Distrola received a complaint of damage that had occurred the previous night in the junior-senior high school parking lot. Amber Johnson of Smethport reported that her silver van had been struck in the front passenger bumper, causing significant damage.

At 11:30 a.m. there was a complaint concerning a red Plymouth Neon parked on Maple Street  The vehicle lacked a registration plate, and its inspection sticker had expired. Distrola tried to locate the owner, to no avail. In the following shift Officer Dickerson noted that he knew the owner and would contact him.

Officer Tony Tanner was dispatched to the Park Motel at 9:45 p.m. Saturday, after a bartender had reported a fight. The log entry did not include the name of the alleged victim, but stated that the person did not want charges filed and refused medical attention. It seemed no one could identify the alleged assailant.

Sunday afternoon at 3:10 Tanner received a harassment complaint from Jim Kaziska, who stated that Jared Nellis had been sending him text messages threatening to beat him up. Charges are pending as investigation continues. 

At 7:54 p.m. Tanner was dispatched to 53 North Ann Street to check on a report of an unwanted person. Tanner found that John Austin wanted his son’s girlfriend to leave because they had been arguing. Tanner advised all parties to “cool off and stay away from each other.”