SUNBURY, Pa. — Former Sunbury Police Chief Brad Hare was arrested Wednesday and charged with four counts of theft. Hare is accused of stealing nearly $7,000 from the Americus Hose Company, where he served as secretary.
Just days before that, Hare retired from the Sunbury Police Department after more than 20 years on the force.
Some people who live in Sunbury say it's a lot to take in.
"It makes you lose faith. There's a lot going on in the world," Anna Louise McCarthy said.
Current officers in the Sunbury Police Department have noticed the growing divide between them and the community.
"I know there's been a lot of talk about the disconnect between the police department and the community. I want to bridge that," Acting Police Chief Travis Bremigen said.
Acting Police Chief Travis Bremigen is starting a new program called "one-on-one with a police officer."
Bremigen says officers will go to different areas in the city and set up a closed tent where they can talk to people privately.
"Some things we might be missing that's not being brought to the attention of the police department, and maybe people who just don't feel comfortable coming to the police department. We're looking to come to you," Bremigen said.
The first event is scheduled for next Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lincoln and Memorial Drives.
People we spoke with think it's a good idea.
"I think that would help because some people like them and some people don't. So, I think that would help, especially with the young kids around here," Mary Estany said.
"It will get people talking, you know, interaction," McCarthy said.
"They can be confident in their police department and what we're doing for the community and how we can better serve the community," Chief Bremigen said.
The Sunbury Police Department is also looking at ways to bridge the language barrier with the city's increasingly diverse population.
As for Former Police Chief Brad Hare, he is due back in court later this month.