CLEARFIELD – Volunteers have received some harsh treatment from the public during recent events.
At Thursday’s Clearfield Borough Council meeting, President Wade Cowder said there have been some unacceptable incidents between members of the Clearfield Borough Fire Police and members of the public.
Cowder said a member of the fire police was performing traffic control during the Fireball Run event and was accosted by a motorist.
Cowder said the volunteers from the fire police were blocking off the roadway for the event, when a woman reached out the window of her vehicle and grabbed the fire police member by the shirt in a violent manner.
He said there was another event when the fire police were directing traffic during one of the 5K races in the downtown area. Cowder said a motorist struck one of the fire police members with the mirror of their vehicle, injuring him.
“These problems have been going on for a while and they’re getting worse,” Cowder said. “Sometimes we deal with strange people, but the community needs to understand that we’re out directing traffic, we’re doing it for their safety.”
Cowder asked that when members of the community encounter fire police, they slow down and obey instructions.
Also at the meeting, Fire Chief George Proud said the fire department will be passing out candy from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Oct. 31, during Trick-or-Treat night. He encouraged parents to bring their children to the fire hall for a visit.
Council member Lewis Duttry said he had residents ask if Trick-or-Treat night could be moved to a weekend during daylight hours.
Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott said Trick-or-Treating has been discussed numerous times over the years. She said it’s something the council could consider for future years.
She even suggested the council talk to the Kiwanis club to possibly combine Trick-or-Treating and the Halloween Parade into a one-day event, similar to what other communities do.
Proud then reminded residents to turn their clocks back Nov. 6. He also reminded residents to check the batteries in their smoke detectors and CO alarms and change them if necessary.