Continued Issues with McKeesport Police Department

Feb 118 min read

Updated: 12 minutes ago

TAAG Townhall Update March 21, 2025:

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Townhall on March 20th. It was a great community conversation around police accountability, civic engagement, and community safety. At the meeting, we mentioned some community resources, our demands, and how you can help. See below for more. To, get involved or sign up for TAAG's newsletter visit our home page on the website!

-Community Resources (shared at the Townhall):

Claim Form:

2024-10-10+final+-+Exhibit+F+-+Finley+Claim+Form.pdf

What Happened/Background:

TAAG has been working to address issues with the McKeesport police since our creation in 2014. Since then, we have received various complaints involving the McKeesport police and local community members of color, particularly concerning excessive force and an abuse of power. In 2023, TAAG, along with the ACLU, filed a lawsuit against McKeesport for unlawfully seizing our community and conducting illegal searches while searching for the person who shot one of their officers. This is not a new occurrence or a result of new "rogue" officers; it is an ongoing issue in which the McKeesport police continue to use excessive force and demonstrate an abuse of power. See below for a timeline of just a few of these incidents. All of this information comes from news articles, community members, and public legal records.

2014-2019 - Various lawsuits were filed against the City of McKeesport Police for excessive force at McKeesport Hospital, during traffic stops and other interactions with Black and other marginalized community members.
2020 - McKeesport Police Officer Jerry Athans was shot by Koby Francis. The police responded by unlawfully seizing our community and conducting illegal searches with Black residents in their pursuit of Mr. Francis. A lawsuit was filed for this in December of 2023.
2021- The ACLU and TAAG filed a lawsuit to gain access to council meetings after the doors were locked when we came to speak about the response to an officer-involved shooting in 2020. We won the lawsuit and were able to speak at city council meetings.
2022 - A Black female officer (Candace Tyler) filed a lawsuit for discrimination in hiring practices.
2023 - An officer-involved shooting occurred in which Johnathan Morris shot and killed Officer Sean Sluganski and wounded another officer following a domestic call regarding mental health. The police were criticized for their response to Mr. Morris, who was experiencing a mental health episode.
2023- ACLU and TAAG filed a lawsuit for what occurred in 2020.
2024 - The McKeesport police evidence room was placed under investigation, and former McKeesport police officer Joseph Osinsk (terminated due to the charges) was arrested for stealing money from a slain officer's fund, etc.
2025 - Two high-profile arrests went viral, showcasing excessive force (see below for more information).
2025- Another Black officer (Julian Thomas) filed a lawsuit for discrimination in hiring and promotion practices.

The most recent incidents occurred with a traffic stop and a call for two neighbors disputing (videos below). The traffic stop was with a Black family, Antwan Peterson and Lashay Teasley. They reported to TAAG that a few weeks ago (February 2025), a McKeesport police officer (Parker Scherf) pulled over the father, a Black man, due to an issue with his license plate. He complied with the officer’s instructions, but the officers became impatient. This resulted in them shouting and forcefully pulling him out of the car while pointing a gun at his back. The incident occurred in front of their home, prompting his partner to come outside to see what was happening. The family reported that the police were aggressive with her as well, breaking down the door to enter the home. Additionally, their eight-year-old son was present during the incident.

Despite all of this, the police made no arrests! Instead, they charged both parents and left the family to deal with the trauma. The family is currently working with attorneys, but they face a long road ahead in dealing with the emotional trauma and the financial burden of repairing their door, hiring attorneys, and missing work for court appearances, among other issues.

The neighbor incident occurred on Sunday, March 8th, involving a Black McKeesport resident, Callie Stinson Sr. Police were called by a community member who witnessed the disagreement. When the police arrived, the two individuals were arguing, and they claimed that Mr. Stinston ignored their commands to stop yelling and other directives. The police asserted that they attempted to calm him down, but they said he resisted. As a result, they pinned him down and placed their knees on his neck and head. Mr. Stinston, a 72-year-old man, suffered a traumatic injury, resulting in double fractures from the fourth to the ninth ribs. There is no excuse to use excessive force on an elderly man. This incident involved three officers: Richard Dell, Nicholas Probola, and Anthony Ledonne.

These are just a few examples concerning the McKeesport Police Department. While we recognize the humanity of all individuals, including the officers involved who were shot or injured, we cannot excuse the behavior of the McKeesport police.

Black people and other residents of color in McKeesport are frightened and, at times, feel they are being targeted by their police force. Although these issues are not unique to small communities and are occurring elsewhere, they highlight significant problems that must be addressed. Furthermore, the realities of the Black experience with police and structural systems in McKeesport must be acknowledged, and TAAG will not shy away from doing this. Due to these instances, we have serious concerns about community safety when interacting with the police and have specific demands.

TAAG and Community Demands:

It should be noted that TAAG met with the Mayor and Police Chief on February 25th to address these issues. They communicated that they would not be looking into the actions of the officer regarding the traffic stop (despite our objections). However, they may be open to hearing more about a police review board as well as having mental health professionals respond alongside the police. We reached out after the most recent incident but received no response. While we are not surprised that more instances have occurred, their responses have been similar to what they communicated during the meeting.

For instance, the City of McKeesport Mayor and Police Chief have responded to the most recent incidents by saying that they don't feel their officers did anything wrong and will not be asking for an outside agency to investigate. Therefore, we are asking the community to support the following demands:

Release Body Cam Videos and Terminate Officers:

Release the body cam videos from the most recent incidents and terminate the officers involved. Specifically, Richard Dell, Nicholas Probola, and Anthony Ledonne were involved in the arrest of Callie Stinson Sr. Additionally, Officer Parker Scherf was involved in the traffic stop involving Antwan Peterson.

Demand A Local Police Review Board & Mental Health Responders Doing Calls w/Police:

The City of McKeesport Police should opt into the Allegheny County Police Review Board or start their own. In addition, they should engage in programs where mental health professionals can respond with the police, such as CAHOOTS.

Defund The Police/Divest and Invest

The City of McKeesport Police should defund the police budget by divesting 10% or more from their budget and investing those funds back into the community via a foundation grant program (separate from the City of McKeesport). The foundation could provide grants to community groups working on violence prevention and offer scholarships to youth.

How You Can Help:

Boycott Community Activities w/City of McKeesport and Police Department:

In our opinion, at times, the City utilizes local Black people and other people of color to give off an image that they care and are making efforts to improve conditions. They present an image of diversity without making meaningful efforts toward inclusion or accessibility. In addition, they also weaponize these events against us, refusing to help, if we speak up and causing division as well. We must stop letting them do this.

Boycotting city-hosted community events will not only raise awareness about these issues but also impact their finances. This strategy can effectively communicate our demands and pressure them to take meaningful action.

TAAG is asking residents and community members who live in McKeesport to not participate in City-sponsored activities such as Good Neighbor Day, International Village, Concerts in the Park, and Rib Fest, etc. Also, please avoid public-facing events with the City. If you are an ally who doesn’t live in the City were asking that you also refuse to participate etc.

Support TAAG Monthly Activities (March Rally & Townhall and April Council Meeting):

TAAG will host an event once a month to target this effort. This month, we will host a rally and a town hall meeting. Next month, we are asking people to attend the City Council meeting on April 2nd. Please note that TAAG has chapters that meet monthly to address these issues. To be involved directly, please join our chapter or support us as a community or organization supporter. March/April Upcoming Events:

March 20th, TAAG Townhall, 5:30 to 8:00, to address police accountability and special election for PA-35. The location is TBA.
April 2, Rally at 6:00 p.m. and Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. McKeesport City Council Meeting, 201 Lysle Blvd. If you want to speak please arrive by 6:40 to sign in and speak. We ask that you amplify our demands if you speak.

McKeesport is a home rule charter community. The charter grants the Mayor power over the police department. While some city council members sit on the personnel committee, where some decisions are made regarding police, the union also occasionally intervenes with their involvement. Calling and emailing the Mayor's office to reiterate our demands is crucial. Additionally, reach out to council members to encourage them to engage the Mayor and the personnel committee members. In addition, the Allegheny County DA Stephen Zappala, Jr. can also get involved and charge the officers, etc. See below for everyone's contact information!

Mayor:

Michael Cherepko

Phone: 412-675-5020

mike.cherepko@mckeesport-pa.gov

Council:

Richard Dellapenna-Council President

LuEthel Nesbit- Council Vice President

Brian Evans-Councilman

James Barry Jr.-Councilman

Jill Lape-Councilwoman

Keith Soles-Councilman

Amber Webb-Councilwoman