Wilkes Rips King's, Sets Record With 10-0 Start

311 Non-emergency Number Also Faces Hang-up

By PAT McGLYNN; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Wednesday, January 14, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE- Once again, Luzerne County District Attorney Peter Paul
Olszewski Jr. has determined that an Ashley police officer, accused by the
NAACP of racially intimidating a black social worker, committed no crime. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Olszewski met for nearly an hour with president Ronald Felton and other
NAACP officials in a closed-door session Tuesday night at the Luzerne County
Courthouse. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People requested
that Olszewski look into the matter again. Olszewski has previously found no
criminal act on the officer's part. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Arthur Breese, a caseworker with Children's Service Center, was stopped
about 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 30 by Ashley police Sgt. David Cerski. The NAACP
alleges that the traffic stop might have been racially motivated. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Cerski has said he stopped Breese's white Pontiac Grand Am because it fit
the description of a car wanted by Wilkes-Barre police. The car was suspected
of being near a Cook Street house that police searched after finding two
juveniles with $50,000 in allegedly stolen cash. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Further allegations surfaced last week when the NAACP claimed Cerski
referred to Breese as a "nigger" when he questioned Cook Street resident Donna
Longfoot. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Breese has not claimed that Cerski made racist remarks during the traffic
stop. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Based on the information we were given, even if we are to assume that
everything Arthur Breese said is true, no crime has been committed," said
Olszewski. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Olszewski said there will be no further criminal investigation by his
office. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Felton said the NAACP will press for an investigation by the Ashley police.
Felton also said he will ask Ashley police and other town officials about
possible disciplinary measures against Cerski. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Olszewski said he, or a representative from his office, will attend a
racial summit sponsored by the NAACP on Feb. 28. Olszewski added that if his
schedule permits, he will attend the meeting personally. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "If true, the comments (made by Cerski) were inappropriate, intolerable and
unprofessional," s

Da Again Backs Cop In Naacp Complaint 
The Organization Will Still 
Pursue Possible Disciplinary Action 
Against An Ashley Police Officer, 
Its President Says

Da Again Backs Cop In Naacp Complaint The Organization Will Still Pursue Possible Disciplinary Action Against An Ashley Police Officer, Its President Says