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<p>HAZLETON &#8212; Despite some out-of-state media reports from earlier this week, Hazleton Chief of Police Jerry Speziale is staying put in the Mountain City.</p><p>Speziale announced Thursday he will not run for Passaic County Sheriff in New Jersey, according to northjersey.com.</p><p>He previously served as sheriff there from 2002 to 2010, the story said.</p><p>Speziale said he did not want to be part of a &#8220;divisive primary battle.&#8221;</p><p>The longtime lawman became Hazleton&#8217;s chief in early 2016 when Mayor Jeff Cusat took office, and Speziale has said repeatedly he is committed to Cusat and the city of roughly 25,000.</p><p>Speziale launched a crackdown last fall on one particularly troubled stretch of Alter Street, which has become synonymous with drugs and other illicit activities.</p><p>He and Cusat say major crimes have been reduced more than 40 percent in Hazleton since 2015.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_Speziale.cmyk_-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Speziale </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_Speziale.cmyk_-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Speziale </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Times Leader Staff</p></bylineMeta></div>

Report: Hazleton chief is not leaving post