Donora police encounter goes viral

Borough and police officials responded after the incident was posted on social media.

A video posted to Facebook Wednesday appeared to show a Donora police officer knocking a phone out of a resident’s hand as he filmed his interaction with police, and residents have had strong reactions on social media.

At a council meeting Thursday night, no one spoke out against the situation or made any statements regarding the officer involved. However, Mayor Don Pavelko issued an executive directive effective immediately stating that all Donora officers must wear body-worn cameras at all times. Pavelko said that is for the protection of residents and officers alike.

In a two-minute video posted to Facebook, borough resident Sean Fronzaglio is filming from his cellphone as he tells two police officers he’ll leave the location. Before he walks away, he asks the officers if it’s OK for him to walk past them and their patrol car or if they’ll “get scared.”

There is some cross talk between a few people arguing over Fronzaglio’s comments and one officer says he can walk past them and he can make “smart comments” if he wants. Someone else refers to Fronzaglio with an expletive, indicating they thought he was acting rudely.

As Fronzaglio starts to walk away, an officer tells him that he “doesn’t have to have an attitude about it” and to “makesure heputs(thevideo) onFacebook. It’s Off cer (Robert) Cunningham.”

Fronzaglio replies, “Yeah, toughguy.”

Cunningham starts walking toward Fronzaglio saying, “Oh, you want to call me a tough guy?”

Fronzaglio asks, “You want to arrest me because I called you tough?”

Cunningham said he just doesn’t understand what Fronzaglio’s problemiswhilegetting very close to Fronzaglio’s face. Fronzaglio repeats that Cunningham’s a“toughguy” andthe video appears to show Cunningham’s arm immediately swiping across his body inastrikingmotion and the camera is knocked to the ground, face up where it continues to record.

From the ground, the camera continuesto recordCunningham asking Fronzaglio to “do something” ashandcuffscanbeheard clicking into place. Fronzaglio said he was walking away, but Cunningham said it seemed to him like Fronzaglio was interfering with the police investigation insteadof walkingaway.

As the phone is lying on the ground, one of the off cers can beseenlookingdirectly at it and appears to kick the phone, but it continues to record.

Someone tells Fronzaglio that he “wouldn’t get arrested if he didn’t smell like marijuana” and Fronzaglio replies that his phone is still recording and being streamed to Facebook live. Someone says they’re glad it’s recorded.

Police Chief Neal Rands declined to comment, citingadvice from Solicitor Steve Toprani. In an interview with KDKA on Thursday, Rands admitted that the situation could have been handled differently, but he said at no time did Cunninghamuse “excessiveforce.”

Rands went on to tell KDKA that while it appears Cunningham knocks the phone from Fronzaglio’s hand, the off cer was actually just reaching to handcuff him. Rands said the department is investigating, but Cunninghamremainsonthejob.

Pavelko said he is unable to comment on the situation at this time.

Fronzaglio is charged with obstructing the administration of law and disorderly conduct by engaging in f ghting. He is set for an April 9 preliminary hearing before Magisterial District JudgeMarkWilson.