A strikingly different outcome to what occurred over recent weeks, the North Tonawanda Police Chief opted not to pursue an investigation into a 2022 complaint concerning a Facebook post directed at a city engineer. This choice stands in stark contrast to the swift action taken in response to a similar complaint made by the mayor regarding a parody Facebook page. The situation not only raises concerns over bias and favoritism within the department, but whether Police Chief Keith Glass can continue in the position now that faith in him carrying out his duties impartially have been compromised.
The 2022 complaint involved a city engineer who felt threatened by a Facebook comment suggesting that someone "oughta drag the city engineer" down a newly constructed bike lane off River Road. The engineer's husband reached out via email to North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec, Police Chief Keith Glass, and other officials, expressing concern over the post. In his June 28th, 2022 email, he questioned whether the police or elected officials would take action, stating, “Is this something the elected officials and or police are prepared to follow up on or should I because this is completely unacceptable?”
In response, Chief Glass declined to investigate the matter, instead advising the engineer's spouse to contact Facebook to have the post removed. He noted that unless there was a clear, direct threat—such as a statement like “I am going to find you and break your nose”—there would be little basis for an investigation. Glass acknowledged the challenges of proving such threats in court, particularly when they originate from online comments.
This response sharply contrasts with the police department's handling of a request from Mayor Tylec regarding a spoof Facebook page that impersonated him. On January 21st, when Tylec sought to identify the individual behind the page, Chief Glass acted acted quickly and dispatched two armed officers to question Jacob Quinn, a city resident whom Tylec suspected of being responsible. Quinn denied the allegations and accused the mayor of overstepping his authority. Despite the police presence, Chief Glass later stated that there were no plans to arrest anyone involved.
Glass explained that the investigation into the mayor's complaint was warranted because the Facebook page impersonated a city official, which could potentially violate free speech laws, according to the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office. In contrast, he characterized the 2022 complaint about the city engineer as less serious, noting that the post was related to the contentious repaving of River Road and the addition of a bike lane, which had upset many residents.
He further clarified that while the comment aimed at the city engineer was inappropriate, it did not meet the legal criteria for a direct threat. Glass stated, “Though a police report was never filed by anyone on the comment, the comment was quickly removed after it was posted.” He emphasized that public officials often face criticism from residents, some of which may seem threatening but do not constitute criminal behavior.
In his correspondence with the engineer's spouse, Glass reiterated that the comment about dragging the engineer did not qualify as a direct threat. The spouse responded, expressing frustration that the city seemed uninterested in addressing threats against its officials, contrasting this with the immediate police response to the mayor's complaint.
The differing responses to these complaints have raised concerns about the impartiality of the North Tonawanda Police Department and how much influence the Mayor's Office has in day-to-day operations.
Quinn told the Niagara Action earlier this week that he has retained legal counsel regarding Tylec sending police to his place of employment over a parody page on Facebook.
I have retained legal counsel regarding the incident on January 21st, 2025 and will be filing a
claim. I will not be providing further comments going forward and all questions should be
directed to Vincent Parlato Esq..
It is unclear whether Quinn plans to sue Tylec, the City, or both.
The controversy began when Tylec demanded two uniformed officers question resident Quinn while he was at work. Tylec publicly expressed his concerns about a parody Facebook page that has been active for many years, which he claims have caused confusion among residents. He labeled Quinn an “antagonist” and suggested that the impersonation could lead to misinformation.
Quinn, who denied running the parody page, views Tylec's actions as a blatant misuse of power, accusing the mayor of weaponizing the police for personal grievances. This situation is further complicated by a history of conflict between the two including a 2019 incident where Quinn circulated a photo depicting Tylec as Adolf Hitler. Although Tylec dismissed the photo as fake, the underlying issue remains: the mayor's response to criticism appears to have crossed a line.
In a bid to prove his innocence regarding the page, Quinn allowed police officers to examine his phone. However, he characterized Tylec's actions as an attack and retribution and suggested that the mayor's involvement of law enforcement in this matter is an overreach. North Tonawanda Police Chief Keith Glass acknowledged that the spoof page is not a crime, yet he stated that it contains “a lot of misinformation.” This raises questions about why Tylec felt it necessary to involve law enforcement in a matter that should be addressed through dialogue rather than intimidation.
The Constitution protects citizens' rights to free expression and Tylec's attempt to silence dissenting voices is a concerning overreach. The parody page includes a clear disclaimer indicating its satirical nature and it is not the role of the mayor or police to enforce Facebook's terms of service. For Tylec to dispatch police officers over a matter of free speech is not only shocking but also indicative of a troubling mindset among public officials who cannot tolerate criticism.
Quinn's assertion that Tylec has targeted him for years adds another layer to this controversy. During a recent board meeting, Tylec offered an apology, stating he would be happy to explain the situation to Quinn's employer. However, many perceived the apology as insincere and condescending.
“So, I will apologize, though, that they went to your place of work,” Tylec said, failing to address the abuse of power involved in ordering police officers to question a resident at his workplace.
In response to Tylec's actions, members of the North Tonawanda Common Council sent a letter to City Attorney Edward A. Zebulske demanding an investigation into the matter. The letter expressed deep concern over the allegations that Tylec may have “weaponized the North Tonawanda Police Department” as an act of political retaliation. The Council condemned any actions that infringe upon citizens’ constitutionally protected right to free speech, emphasizing that such behavior represents a serious violation of public trust.
The letter, signed by Council President Joseph Lavey, Jr. and other council members, requested a thorough review of the mayor’s conduct and an assessment of any potential civil liability and litigation costs to taxpayers. The Council remains committed to monitoring the situation closely to ensure it is handled appropriately.
The letter reads as follows:
Dear Mr. Zebulske,
The North Tonawanda Common Council is deeply alarmed by the allegations raised against Mayor Austin J. Tylec during the January 21st council meeting.
As publicly confirmed by both the Mayor and the Chief of Police, two officers visited the workplace of a private citizen on Tuesday morning to question them about their potential connection to an obscure satirical Facebook page parodying the Mayor.
Following this incident, the individual reported to the Common Council, alleging that Mayor Tylec may have “weaponized the North Tonawanda Police Department” as an act of
political retaliation.
The Common Council is greatly disturbed by the possibility that taxpayer-funded resources
were used to suppress political speech at the direction of an elected official. We strongly
condemn any actions that infringe upon citizens’ constitutionally protected right to free
speech. Such behavior represents a serious violation of public trust.
Irrespective of the Mayor’s apology about this situation, as the city’s legislative branch, we request that the City Attorney’s Office conduct a thorough review of the Mayor’s conduct in
this matter. We are particularly concerned about any civil liability and ask for an assessment
of any potential litigation costs to taxpayers. The Council remains committed to monitoring
this situation closely to ensure it is handled appropriately.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Best regards,
Joseph Lavey, Jr., Council President
Robert Schmigel, Alderman, 1st Ward
Frank DiBernardo, Alderman, 2nd Ward
Joseph Marranca III, Alderman, 3rd Ward
Joseph N. Loncar, Alderman-at-Large
The mayor's behavior not only undermines the principles of democracy but also sets a dangerous precedent for how public officials engage with their constituents. Chief Glass, who was appointed by Tylec and signs his paychecks, defended the mayor's actions, stating that the officers' questioning of Quinn was “standard investigative police work.”
He noted that Quinn voluntarily answered questions and demonstrated that his Facebook accounts were not linked to the parody page. However, Glass's comments about the potential for posts to cause alarm or confusion among residents do not fit any penal law definition for a crime, including harassment.
Moreover, the involvement of the Niagara County District Attorney’s office in this matter raises further concerns. Glass stated that detectives had consulted with the DA’s office regarding the complaint, which he characterized as a common practice. However, the fact that Tylec initiated a process that could lead to the arrest of a political rival is alarming and dangerous.
The situation highlights the politicization of government at the local level and mirrors concerns seen at the federal level. The actions of Mayor Tylec and the response from law enforcement have sparked a debate about the limits of free speech and the responsibilities of public officials to uphold democratic principles. The community is left to grapple with the implications of this controversy, as Quinn's potential legal action looms and the call for accountability grows.
2022 Emails Raise Questions over North Tonawanda Police Chief's Impartiality and Mayor's Influence