Garlowich trying to make a difference

DUNBAR - Thanks to a federal Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) grant, Dunbar Borough now has a full-time police chief.

Mike Garlowich has been policing the borough for 10 years. The Scottdale resident has served as chief for four. He also works with the Fayette County Drug Task Force and has been involved with more than 50 task force operations over the past two years.

"I enjoy helping people out, trying to make a difference. I just enjoy it," Garlowich says. "I try to do everything I can. I'm very active with the drug task force, as are the other officers and patrolmen. Drugs are a big problem in Fayette County."

Before becoming a full-time police chief, Garlowich headed Lowe's loss prevention department. Even there, he says, drugs caused crime. "Ninety-five percent or more of shoplifters do it to support their drug habits. Drugs are a problem all over."

Garlowich does not consider drugs the worst problem in Dunbar, however. "We have a problem with drugs with certain people. We also have problems with speeding and quads."

A bicycle will help the police force with quad patrols. Last month, Joan Graziano, Action Oil, Burhans-Crouse Funeral Home, Stefanik's Restaurant, Pechin Shopping Village and borough council purchased a trail bike for the department. "We'll have more interaction with the public and talk to kids so they're not afraid of the police and hopefully have an impact on somebody," Garlowich says.

He does frequent foot patrols in the evenings for the same reason.

Garlowich says that the police department and borough council have a good relationship. "Council, in general, seems to understand more what's involved in police work. Over the last four years, they've developed a police committee. Within the last year or two, they developed monthly meetings with committee before council meetings.

"It goes a lot smoother," he adds. "We have a communication line. It takes everyone working together to make things work."

He notes that Dunbar has come a long way with its police. "We have a computer system, the bike, a new car. When we need new equipment, they get it for us."

Mayor Herman Izzo is very pleased with Garlowich and the force.

"He is a good policeman," Izzo says. "He was working part-time. Now that we got the grant from the government, they made him a full-time officer, 40 hours a week. We had to have at least three part-time officers. The money's helped out a good bit for Dunbar Borough.

Izzo also says he likes to work with Garlowich. "He's very sincere. I'll go along with him as far as I can. He is a good policeman who will get those part-time policemen to do their jobs well, too."

Councilman Bill Watson agrees. "I think Mike does a good job. I'm glad he's a full-time chief. I think having more police patrols will make the streets safer."

Garlowich hopes to involve the public in making Dunbar safer.

"I want to try to get this bike patrol off to a good start," he says. "People like to see the police. As I walk around town, I interact with the pubic, go down to the ball park.

"I want to get people interested in a Crime Watch, involving different eyes in the community, to address drugs and the quad problem," he concludes.