Elizabeth police department shut down by COVID-19

Elizabeth Police Chief William Sombo is shown in this file photo.

By Christine Haines

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The Elizabeth Borough Building is on lockdown and the police department is out of commission after more than half the officers were exposed to COVID-19.

Police Chief William Sombo said surrounding departments are handling calls in Elizabeth and West Elizabeth as members of the department complete a 14-day quarantine period. Sombo said with more than half of the 12-member department exposed, it was impossible to carry on routine business.

“Currently Jefferson Hills and Clairton police departments are handling West Elizabeth and Elizabeth Township, Forward Township and Liberty Borough police departments are handling Elizabeth borough,” Sombo said. “There has been no break in police service provided to the citizens of Elizabeth or West Elizabeth.

“In the event that a call for police service is requested and one of the five police departments answers the call, under the Municipal Police Officers Jurisdiction Act, those police departments have full jurisdiction to handle any police matter that would normally be handled by the Elizabeth Police Department.”

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