POLICE CHIEF RETIRES After 24 years in the Mt. Lebanon Police Department, including seven years as chief, Aaron Lauth retired to take a position as chief at Carnegie Mellon University Police Department.
Over the course of his career here, Lauth gained a reputation as a calm, tech-forward chief, who worked collaboratively with everyone, whether it was the school district, residents, regional law enforcement groups or other entities. Lauth, who is currently vice president of the Western Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, will become its president next year.
Lauth lives in Mt. Lebanon with his wife and two children.
The municipality will be conducting a national search, using the search firm of GovHR. Deputy Police Chief Jason Haberman and Deputy Police Chief Paul Petras will lead the department during the search process, which could take a number of months.
FRAUD ALERTS Mt. Lebanon police want to remind you to be aware of scams. If you receive an email from an unknown sender, don’t click on the link. If someone calls you asking for money and you don’t know them, don’t send them money.
If you receive a call from a charity asking for a donation, here are a few pointers to avoid fraudulent organizations. Slow down. You don’t have to give immediately. Do research on the organization and search for them online to see if others have had good or bad experiences with them. Find out how your money will be spent. If someone calls to ask you to give money, don’t give on the spot. After you’ve done your research, call the number you’ve confirmed is the organization.
If you feel as though you’ve been a victim of fraud, don’t be afraid to report it. Even if you’re simply not sure, Mt. Lebanon police say to contact them.
SAFETY CHECKS Want to make your house or business more secure? The Mt. Lebanon Police Department will stop by to provide safety tips. Maybe the bushes in front of your home are too high and obstruct the sight line; you may need additional lighting. They’ll let you know.
You can also reach out to them if your neighborhood is having a block party or get-together. They’re more than happy to stop by.
For safety checks and block party visits, contact Cpl. Jeff Kite at jkite@mtlebanon.org or 412-343-4068.
CONSTRUCTION ZONE Orange cones are once again popping up all over town. Mt. Lebanon police want to remind you to slow down and pay extra attention in work zones. Maintain a safe distance with other vehicles and avoid distractions, giving your full attention to the road. Be patient.
OUTDOOR BURNING Planning an evening by the fire cooking s’mores and telling all your best stories to friends? Make sure you follow the rules. The fuel area must be 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. Fire must be at least 25 feet from a structure. Don’t leave the fire unattended.
The Mt. Lebanon Fire Department also offers tips to ensure your campfire causes less disturbance to neighbors. Burning dry, seasoned hardwood is the most effective way to cut down on the smoke. Using a fire starter also will make things less smoky.
Don’t burn yard waste.
If it’s windy, don’t start a fire. It can spread quickly and the smoke, also, will spread fast throughout your neighborhood.
JOGGIN’ FOR FROGMEN The Mt. Lebanon Fire Department fielded a team for Joggin’ for Frogmen, a 5K fundraiser that raises money for the families of fallen members of the U.S. Navy Special Warfare community.
FIREWORKS SAFETY If you’re planning a big Independence Day celebration, be careful with explosives. Store fireworks in a safe, cool place and keep them away from kids. Do not store fire starters near the fireworks and do not smoke in the vicinity.
CITIZENS FIRE ACADEMY Learn firsthand what it’s like to be a Mt. Lebanon firefighter. The Mt. Lebanon Fire Department’s Citizens Fire Academy will return from September 14 through November 11.
You’ll get to try on their gear, learn all about the equipment they use and participate in real-world firefighting scenarios.
The academy is open to Mt. Lebanon residents and business owners. Most sessions are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Building. A special Saturday session will be held at the Washington County Fire Academy on November 5 with graduation slated for November 11.
Visit www.mtlfd.org [1] for details and to fill out an application.