New Easton Police Chief Officially Sworn In

Easton's new police chief, Carl Scalzo Jr., was sworn in Wednesday evening, in front of a standing-room-only crowd of family, friends and colleagues at the city's regular council meeting.

City officials expressed confidence in Scalzo as they congratulated

Mayor Sal Panto said the new chief, who has been on the job since his promotion to the role was approved by city council last month, will continue to provide Easton with the professional kind of police department it deserves and has come to expect.

"The duties of police chief in Easton aren't easy," Panto noted.

Scalzo, whose father was a captain on the police force in the 1970s, is a lifelong local resident.

“I hope to live up to the expectations and trust placed in me,” Scalzo said.

He also credited outgoing chief Larry Palmer for his new position.

"You've shown me everything I know about running a police department. I don't think you know how much you taught me. I just can't thank you enough," Scalzo told Palmer. "I guess now it's time to get to work."

Palmer, who was sworn in as Tuesday evening, was honored by city officials with a resolution commending him for his 13 years of service to the department. City council took the unusual step of voting to affirm the resolution, saying Palmer's dedication warranted the extra attention.

"(He is) the reason the decision for these promotions was easy," Panto said.

Other longtime EPD members were also officially promoted Wednesday, as Scott Casterline swore to uphold his new position as Captain of Field Services, and Matthew Gerrould was promoted to Lieutenant of the criminal investigation division.

The promotions come during a busy week for the department, as no less than four serious incidents involving a firearm have occurred in the city since March 24, including two men being shot this past Sunday and another being injured by gunfire earlier on Wednesday.

Panto said he is certain the new team can handle whatever is thrown their way.

"The criminal investigation division is so good that I know that if you do the crime in Easton, you'll do the time," Panto said, adding that he believes the wanted suspect from the Sunday Southside shootings will likely be apprehended within 48 hours.

“We'll hunt them down,” he promised. “It's just incredible, the people who have no respect for human life.”

Panto said that despite the obvious dangers of the gun incidents, the city has been luck and no one has been killed. Panto added the two victims of the Sunday shooting were released from the hospital on Wednesday.

“We're fortunate they haven't hit bystanders. We're fortunate they've been targeted, not random, and we're fortunate they're not good shooters. They can't aim,” he said of the suspects.

“Chief Scalzo's had one hell of a week starting off,” added Easton City Councilman Jeff Warren. “But he's also doing a hell of a job.”