Mars police chief resigns
MARS — Mark Lint, chief of the borough’s police force, has stepped down from his role.
Council voted unanimously to accept Lint’s resignation at its Tuesday, Sept. 8, meeting. He was not in attendance.
Lint has served in the role since 2021. Lt. Chad Rensel will take over as officer in charge for the borough in the absence of a chief.
At the meeting, a discussion about the borough’s undermanned law enforcement followed public comments on the topic made by residents Phil and Val Damato.
Phil Damato, who lives near the Mars Athletic Complex, said he and his wife were recently verbally abused by visitors during a football game.
They dialed 911, to report the incident, as well as several illegally parked cars, and said they were told no one was on duty at the borough. State police responded about 20 minutes later, he said.
“How can you people who are supposed to be policing these things have nobody to do anything? How can you let it go on?” asked Damato.
He said he feels that if there is an incident at a high-traffic event borough police do not have the means to deal with it.
“The issue we have is, we have hardly any police left,” council President Michael Fleming responded.
The borough’s police department operates with two full-time officers and a handful of part-time officers.
“There's not enough parking for the size crowds that we get (at the athletic complex,” Mayor Gregg Hartung added. “And I don't have the answer.”
Hartung suggested games could be spaced out to avoid congestion.
Rensel said additional manpower is the most major thing he needs going forward. He said he does not currently have a particular vision for the future of the police department.
“I wish we had that. I wish we could wave that wand and give you everybody you need,” said Fleming. “We'll do our best.”
