Firefighter suspended
Trustees of the Freeport Volunteer Fire Department suspended a firefighter Sunday while the department investigates his use of a racial slur in a Facebook post.
Volunteer Christopher Negley posted his opinion Friday about recent protests in Pittsburgh in the name of 17-year-old Antwon Rose Jr.
Rose was shot and killed by an East Pittsburgh police officer last week during a traffic stop after he ran from a vehicle that officials say was pulled over because it matched the description of one involved in a North Braddock shooting minutes earlier.
Rose's death ignited protests throughout Pittsburgh in the days following, including demonstrations that shut down the Parkway East for more than five hours Thursday night and early Friday morning.
That blockage is apparently what Negley — who according to the department's Facebook page was an officer and serving as the company's secretary for 2018 — took issue with in a racially-charged Facebook post in which he used a racial slur and implied that protesters were jobless.
“its cause none of those n---- gotta use the parkway in the morning to go to work..... and theres (sic) your problem right there..... im (sic) guessing they are all smoking strong ass menthols and all have brand new nikes!!!!” Negley wrote in his post.
The online backlash was swift. Some people screenshotted Negley's post and condemned his remarks.
Others found their way to the Freeport VFD Facebook page, which had a five star rating that has since dropped to three stars due to 31 negative reviews. Many of the reviewers cited Negley's post in their comments and demanded the department remove him from duty.
On Friday, the department posted its own response, saying Negley's comments did not reflect the organization's values and that officials were looking into the matter.
“The views expressed in a member's private post earlier today do not represent the views of the department, or its members. A full detailed investigation is being conducted at this time. Thank You,” the post said.
That failed to satisfy many people, who questioned why an investigation needed to be conducted at all and reported Negley's initial post.
On Sunday, the department issued another statement, announcing Negley's suspension and reiterating that an investigation was under way.
“The trustees and officers of Freeport VFD after deliberating have suspended Christopher Negley indefinitely until the investigation can be completed. We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter. Thank you,” the post said.
Negley, Freeport Mayor James Schwartz Jr. and Fire Chief Steve Weir did not return messages Monday seeking comment on the situation.
