DARBY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A shouting match derailed a Darby Borough Council meeting Wednesday night, where people were hoping to get some answers about the search for the man who assaulted a school crossing guard earlier this week. Instead, the mayor and council president went at it, leaving community members frustrated.
Darby Borough police are still searching for the man who punched a female crossing guard in the face on Monday. It happened around 3:50 p.m. during dismissal at Walnut Street Elementary School.
Surveillance video shows the man getting out of his car during the afternoon pickup and punching the guard. She fell to the ground and lost consciousness. She has since been treated and released from the hospital.
Several dozen outraged and concerned members of the community filled Wednesday’s council meeting, hoping to get some answers. Mayor Joar Dahn said police have identified the suspect’s car, an older model gold Nissan Altima.
“We will catch you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” Dahn said, “especially when you’re harming somebody that’s entrusted with the safety of our kids. That is sick.”
However, much of the meeting was dominated by what many in attendance said has been frequent infighting between Dahn, who was sworn in this January, and Council President Lucille Pratt.
Beverly Rogers has family that lives on the block where the assault took place. She got someone to watch her kids Wednesday night so she could attend the meeting, but left early out of frustration.
“Because of so many arguments within the council members’ chambers, they’re bringing it to the meetings, and that’s not what the community needs to see,” she said. “They need to see unity.”
“[Pratt is] focusing on stuff like fighting politically, when a crossing guard was just assaulted right here in front of our school,” Dahn argued.
Dahn also said two resolutions that were passed Wednesday night were done so without proper committee consideration or public input. Council members did not speak to the media. KYW Newsradio has reached out to Pratt for comment.