Local News

Two seek Follansbee police chief post

FOLLANSBEE -- Follansbee voters will be asked to choose from two candidates for police chief in the city's June 13 election.

They are challenger Paul Arthurs of 814 Gilbert Ave. and incumbent John Schwertfeger of 1083 Jefferson St.

A 1977 graduate of Brooke High School, Arthurs is employed by Carrier Enterprises. He is vice president of the city's volunteer fire department and has undergone training in managing a communication center through multiple disasters, recognizing illegal drug labs and other areas.

"I have also have worked with city, county and state police and various ambulance services through the years," he said.

Arthurs said serving as police chief "would give me the opportunity to better our city with a stronger administrative lead. The city needs to move forward on many issues, from crime awareness to communication with the citizens. I feel that I can give this to the community, with an open-door policy in which citizens could come and express their concerns on many issues."

Asked how local law enforcement can address the drug problem, he said, "Education is the main issue with many of the drug problems. People are unaware of how to look for signs of drug problems, whether selling or using. These issues must be made public to everyone in order to combat this major problem."

A 1977 graduate of Brooke High School, Schwertfeger has served as police chief for 18 years and serves on the Brooke County multidisciplinary investigative team and has received training in firearms, Tasers, public relations and other areas.

He was director of Brooke County Emergency Medical Services and an emergency medical technician for 34 years, as well as a volunteer firefighter for 40 years.

He said if re-elected he will continue to serve as administrator and officer for the police department, which has involved seeking grants and local funds to improve or replace equipment and working the three shifts worked by his officers.

Schwertfeger said he and others in his department will continue to meet weekly with the local drug task force and local law enforcement agencies to receive input concerning drug activity.

"We continue to pressure federal and state law makers to keep drugs from coming into our country and to put more regulations on pharmaceutical companies, and we encourage residents to report any suspicious activity," he said.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)