Midland police chief steps down; council names replacement

By DAVID M. GRIMES
MIDLAND — The Midland Borough Council and Police Chief Ronald A. Bongivengo reached a mutual agreement for his issue of resignation. The announcement was made after council met in executive session at the borough meeting Thursday night. Bongivengo was police chief since 2001.

Borough Solicitor, Shannon Steele said that the decision came recently and that the resignation had nothing to do with past issues with the chief.

Steele emphasized that it was a completely mutual agreement and it was a global resolution to the ending of Bongivengo’s employment.

She said she could not comment on the particular reason or reasons of the recent decision because of the resignation terms of agreement.

The mayor, Angela Adkins, then recommended officer Joseph D’Itri as acting chief, and council unanimously supported the nomination. D’Itri officially begins his duties as acting chief today.

“I’m overwhelmed for the opportunity,” the acting chief said after the meeting. “I’m eager to get going.”

This is the not the first stint as acting chief for D’Itri. For 10 months, he was acting police chief before Bongivengo.

This nomination by the mayor, and backing of the council, is something that caught D’Itri off guard.

He said he did not know about any of this until Thursday night.

D’Itri brings 15 years of experience to the position. And he already has set goals for himself and his officers.

One aspect the police force would like to improve upon is the community relations with the borough, D’Itri said. He also wanted to curb the drug problems throughout the area as well.

In addition to the support of the council, D’Itri has been favorable to residents as well.

Before the resignation announcement, one citizen complained of people smoking and drinking near his residence. The concerned citizen also told council that, sometimes, people would urinate right out in the street, in front of people like his wife who enjoy sitting outside.

But the citizen commended D’Itri on his perseverance on making patrols and talking to residents in the area. He told council “to give D’Itri credit” on his efforts.

The acting chief also heard another resident complain of garbage and lack of cleanliness at a neighboring home. After showing council photographs and discussing her displeasure, D’Itri assured the woman that he’d look into it as soon as possible.