Wyoming Area Gets Best Of Prep 
Warriors Win 8 Of 12 Events 
In Improving Season Mark To 4-1

2 Teens Charged With Arson In School Fire 
Arrest Of Third Teen Expected 
Today In Incident At Dallas School

Wednesday, January 15, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Coyne worth our city's most generous thanks &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In Washington, ``Duck and Cover'' is the name of the game, with even the
president of the United States dodging responsibility for his actions and
trying to put himself above the lawIn Wilkes-Barre, on the other hand ... &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In Wilkes-Barre, a fellow retired Monday having done a little dodging of
his own. But Joseph T. Coyne dodged bullets, not responsibility. Indeed, his
36-year career at the Wilkes-Barre Police Department saw him shoulder more and
more responsibility until he carried the weight of the department on his back. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And any person who can stand tall as Coyne did under a burden like that
deserves citizens' thanks and respect. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Coyne served as Wilkes-Barre's chief of police for a full third of his
career. Think about that. For 12 years, he came to work every day knowing his
officers would be fanning out to the meanest streets and toughest
neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre, the kind of places law-abiding folks avoid. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Every call carried the implicit threat of violence. Every dispatch could
have cut down one or more officers: As rookie cops learn, a call that starts
with the words "lost cat" can end with shots fired and the broadcast "officer
down," so police must keep their guard up at all times. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In short, every workday for Joseph Coyne brought with it the real chance of
tragedy and disaster. And if the worst happened, Coyne knew he'd be held
responsible for it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But the worst didn't happen. That was no accident. It reflects good
leadership and solid training, two characteristics of the Wilkes-Barre Police
that Joseph Coyne can take a lot of credit for. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Furthermore, the department advanced itself during Coyne's term. Bike
patrols, community policing, the Crime Watch programs and other reforms gave
Wilkes-Barre a better police force than it had before Coyne became chief. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's a fine record. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Joseph Coyne spent his first 24 years on the force handling domestic
quarrels, arresting armed robbers, pulling accident victims from car wrecks,
and juggling the other live grenades that society tosses at cops every day. He
spent the last 12 years leading a station house full of others performing
those impressive feats. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Monday he completed 36 years in police work, America's toughest and most
honorable profession. He leaves to his successor a city in which crime is
down, neighborhoods are reviving and citizens' morale is high. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Thanks, Chief. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For all of that, thanks. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Coyne Worth Our City's Most Generous Thanks 
In Washington, ``duck And Cover'' Is The Name Of The Game, With Even The 
President Of The United States Dodging Responsibility For His Actions And 
Trying To Put Himself Above The Law.

Coyne Worth Our City's Most Generous Thanks In Washington, ``duck And Cover'' Is The Name Of The Game, With Even The President Of The United States Dodging Responsibility For His Actions And Trying To Put Himself Above The Law.