The manager of a troubled Delaware County, Pennsylvania town says she had her tires slashed after questioning spending by the borough's volunteer fire department.
Colwyn Borough Manager Paula Brown said all four tires on her car were slashed hours after an NBC10 Investigators story aired Friday afternoon where she spoke out against the Colwyn Volunteer Fire Department.
"I know why it happened. It was because we are getting closer and closer to having individuals be arrested for theft," Brown said. "The closer we get, the more damage we get to ourselves."
As part of the NBC10 Investigators story, Brown questioned the legitimacy of certain spending by the department.
Among the billing Brown called into question is a $5,320.44 charge for regular gasoline — despite the fact the company’s two fire trucks run on diesel. The department also failed to provide a full list of members and has responded to fewer calls in Colwyn last year than fire companies in neighboring towns, according to Brown.
Brown sent nearly $11,000 in state funds back to the commonwealth after the fire department failed to explain certain bills sent for reimbursement. The manager is now calling for the borough council to unrecognized the Colwyn Volunteer Fire Department.
Colwyn Volunteer Fire Department President Maurice Clark says the department responds to calls in the town. He added Brown should have member information and that he is looking into all spending within the department.
Brown said she did receive threats on social media after speaking out and sharing the story online.
"One member in particular said that I was gonna get mine [and] if I mess with one of them then I'm messing with all of them and they're all going to come after me," she said.
The alleged tire slashing is the latest chapter in the ongoing saga in Colwyn. The tiny borough is facing major financial woes including a deficit that amounts to about $1.3 million. Town council meetings constantly devolve into spectacles with members shouting, pounding fists and throwing items.
After an incident last week where a council member was accidentally hit with a flying piece of debris, some members want to have Pennsylvania State Police attend their meetings. Officers from the Colwyn Police Department are already in attendance at every meeting.
However, Colwyn Mayor Michael Blue, who would have to ask for state police help, tells NBC10 the town’s police is enough.
