SLIGO, Pa. (EYT) — The Sligo Neighborhood Watch opened and closed on the same day.
The organizer of a Sligo Neighborhood Watch suspended the program after he received a harassment citation on October 19 from New Bethlehem Police on the same day he started the watch and alleges he was attacked outside his home on Sunday, October 30.
The incident was discussed last week at the November meeting of Sligo Borough Council.
John Macurak of 1560 Bald Eagle Street started the watch after thefts in town, according to a report by council.
Officer Doug Dale cited Macurak for harassment on October 19 following harassment complaints by Rebecca Conner and Eric Holbein.
“The defendant followed behind the victims while they were walking and shouted things at Holbein,” states the allegations in the citation. “The defendant said ‘Where’s my money, money boys?’ and ‘Don’t make me break your bodies.'”
Charges were filed with District Justice Jeffrey Miller in New Bethlehem, and Macurak has requested a hearing on the charges. Harassment charges included a $50.00 fine, costs of $129.00, and other fees of $35.50 for a total of $314.50.
According to a report from Macurak, he started the watch on October 19. When he was joined by four other individuals, he directed the volunteers to work together in teams of two. Macurak stayed in places where people could see him, walking around observing and talking to dozens about the neighborhood watch and taking notes.
In a handwritten letter to Sheriff Rex Munsee dated October 30, Macurak announced he would suspend the Sligo Neighborhood Watch.
“I was attacked outside my home on my own property on Sunday morning,” wrote Macurak. “Furthermore, I was taking my licensed and rabies shot dogs to the bathroom and (was) approached and threatened by two known criminals and a younger person. I was approached and threatened and got my hand crushed in the door of the garage. I will be taking precautions. I can no longer be involved in giving information to the police.”
While New Bethlehem Police Chief Scott Ryan said he wasn’t aware of the attack allegations, the regional police force did receive a call from Macurak last Sunday about another alleged incident.
Officer Nicole Peck and Pennsylvania State Police Clarion responded to a call from Macurak reporting a call made to him because of his past connection with the neighborhood watch (including a bright hand painted sign for the watch in his front yard). He passed on the information that there were individuals wearing black masks (who) were trying to break into Heeter Lumber Company in Sligo. A search revealed no masked (or unmasked) men in Sligo trying to break in at Heeter’s.
When Munsee was first contacted about Macurak’s desire to form a neighborhood watch, he advised Macurak to make flyers and announce a meeting, and he would attend the organizational meeting to start the process. Macurak went ahead with the watch without Munsee’s further involvement.
“I told him if you want to walk the street and look for suspicious stuff, all you can do is write down license numbers, call my office, and I can run license numbers and forward information onto the Pennsylvania State Police or New Bethlehem Police Department. I said you’re not a vigilante, you’re just eyes and ears,” stated Munsee.
