crime & safety
Bon Air Fire Co Closes, Did Not Address 'Extremist' Member: Twp
The township said he was joining the Proud Boys, a "western chauvinist" group whose members have been arrested at events across the country.
By Max Bennett, Patch Staff
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HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP, PA — The Bon Air Fire Company in Haverford Township has been shut down after it failed to address one of its members who participated in an extremist organization that is categorized as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, according to township officials.
Officials said effective Sept. 4, the Bon Air Fire Company has been relieved of duty indefinitely.
Fire service in the Bon Air section will be provided, without interruption, by the four other companies in the Haverford Township Bureau of Fire: Brookline, Llanerch, Manoa, and Oakmont Fire Companies.
The nearest station, Manoa, is about a half mile away from Bon Air's station, the township said.
This comes after the township got information that one of its members had ties to the Proud Boys group, which describes itself as "western chauvinists who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world." Members of the group have been arrested and charged in connection with various incidents across the United States.
The fire company member has not been identified by officials, but CBS Philadelphia reports the member in question was the company's vice president.
On Aug. 12, the township got word of the member's affiliation and began investigating the claims.
Said volunteer admitted to attending several social gatherings of the group and passing two of the four steps in the group's initiation process, which includes hazing, township officials said.
The volunteer told officials he tried to distance himself from the group, which supports "closed borders," "anti-political correctness," and "venerating the housewife." Women and transgender men are not allowed in the group, which is considered a far-right neofascist organization, officials said.
Haverford Township Manager David Burman and Deputy Chief of Police Joseph Hagan met with the President and Chief of the Bon Air Fire Company on Aug. 14 to discuss the situation.
Fire company officials were urged to address the member's ties to the group.
On Aug. 15, the Fire Chief said volunteer had resigned from the fire company, however the fire company's board did not accept the resignation.
Then, on Aug. 22, township officials said the Bon Air Fire Company Solicitor emailed the township solicitor indicating that the board of the fire company met, discussed the situation, and found no basis for terminating the volunteer's membership.
The email included did not indicate that the fire company would take any action whatsoever, according to the township.
"The volunteer's participation in an organization described as an extremist group and the Bon Air Fire Company's failure to address this matter conflicts with the public policy of Haverford Township, which includes ensuring that all persons are treated fairly and equally, and that all persons enjoy the full benefits of citizenship," a statement from the township said. "Haverford Township is committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of our community, while recognizing the dignity of all. The Township appreciates the patience, understanding, and support of our residents and businesses as we work through this troubling situation."
