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LARKSVILLE — Borough Mayor Joseph Zawadski said Thursday he made a mistake when he suggested putting a halt to roving DUI patrols and he has now reversed his stance.
Zawadski, who has been mayor for eight years and is running for re-election in November, said he met with Police Chief John Edwards and realized he was wrong on the issue.
“I admit I overreacted,” Zawadski said. “After I met with the chief, I see now that the roving patrols are necessary and I support them.”
Zawadski said he was caught by surprise at a council meeting Tuesday and he “blasted out.” He said the whole matter has been blown out of proportion.
Zawadski owns Joe’s Place bar at 299 Vine St. At the council meeting, he reportedly said he did not support the roving DUI patrols because they could impact business for bars located in the borough.
Edwards said he has not formally met with Zawadski, but said he and the mayor briefly chatted after the council meeting.
“We did speak for a brief time,” Edwards said. “But we didn’t come to any kind of agreement.”
Edwards said the situation between the police department and the mayor has become strained in recent weeks. He said he will only meet with Zawadski if a member of council is also present.
Edwards said he will not conduct any DUI patrols — roving or static —until he gets clear direction from the mayor. Edwards said roving patrols are funded by Catholic Social Services. He said officers are paid $40 per hour and two are assigned per patrol. The static patrols are hosted by borough police and include officers from other towns. He said the static patrols usually have 12 officers present.
“The mayor hasn’t authorized roving patrols for a while,” Edwards said. “As far as what was said at the council meeting, it was audio-taped. There will be a transcript prepared. It will speak for itself.”
Edwards said the mayor needs to authorize all DUI patrols, but he was pleased to hear the mayor has changed his stance on the roving patrols.
“If that’s how he feels, that’s wonderful,” Edwards said. “We want to assure we are protected in the borough.”
Edwards said the roving patrols put more officers on the street and give law enforcement more visibility.
“And that means more of a deterrent.”
The chief hopes to sit down with the mayor soon.
“I will wait to talk to the mayor for direction,” Edwards said. “Then we will decide what we will do regarding the DUI checkpoints. But we need the mayor’s written authorization first.”
Edwards said he has talked to representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving — MADD — who have told him they are fully supportive of all DUI checkpoints.
Zawadski has served eight years as mayor. In May, he won the Democratic nomination for mayor on the primary ballot and he also won the Republican nomination via write-in. William Denman has filed as an Independent candidate for mayor and for council.
Zawadski said he agrees with the use of roving patrols, as well as static DUI checkpoints, along Route 11 and throughout the borough.
“I now agree with council and the chief of police,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, the matter is done. No more small-town politics.”
Zawadski admits he initially made a mistake.
“I’m a very understanding guy,” he said. “I have reversed my decision. I made one mistake and I admit it.”