YOUNGSTOWN Police report finding four dressed like officers

When a fight broke out at the dance, a deputy used pepper spray on the kids.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A municipal judge's warning to so-called constables -- to quit dressing like cops -- has been ignored, police reports show.
Two women and two men were spotted in police-type uniforms at a Thanksgiving Eve dance for teenagers on Stewart Street, where a fight broke out in the middle of a crowd estimated at 300. The four had on black pants, shirts and jackets with constable badges hanging from chains around their necks and firearms on their belts, reports show.
A woman who leases the property told police that she had contacted La-Roi Dock to provide security for the dance. Dock operates Ohio State Police Constable Services on Logan Avenue, which does not have the authority to appoint police officers or constables, officials have said.
Years ago, county judges appointed constables to do security work in townships such as Austintown. Constables have no jurisdiction in the city.
Dock's contention
Dock says he can grant police powers because his business is incorporated with the state. Several of his employees have been convicted of providing security without a license or impersonating police officers.
The four so-called constables seen at the dance Wednesday night on the East Side were identified by police as:
UCurtis M. Bryant, 59, of St. Louis Avenue. Bryant was also seen Nov. 8 providing security in a constable uniform at a Steel Street bar, and charged with impersonating a police officer and carrying a concealed weapon. On Monday, the weapon charge was bound over from municipal court to a Mahoning County grand jury, and the impersonating charge was set for pretrial on Jan. 14. Also Monday, Bryant was resentenced on a 2000 charge of providing security without a license that he lost on appeal. Judge Elizabeth A. Kobly reimposed the original sentence of 30 days in jail, all suspended, $100 fine and one year's probation.
UCarol J. Dubose, 60, of Glenaven Avenue. Dubose was sentenced Nov. 18 on two separate convictions of impersonating a police officer. She was charged twice this past summer after being spotted in a constable uniform outside two South Side bars. Judge Kobly gave Dubose 90 days in jail, suspended it all, fined her $100 and placed her one year's probation.
UEthel M. Smith, 51, of Mistletoe Avenue. Smith, convicted of impersonating a police officer, was sentenced Nov. 18. She, too, was spotted this past summer in a constable uniform outside a South Side bar. Judge Kobly gave her 30 days in jail, suspended it all, fined her $100 and placed her on one year's probation.
ULarry Ingram, 42, of Gluck Street.
Reports of what happened at the dance have been turned over to the detective division. The activities of Bryant, Dubose and Smith could trigger a probation violation hearing.
Detective Sgt. Brad Blackburn said the matter will be discussed with the city prosecutor Monday.
Judge Kobly, who has handled several constable cases the past few months, has told the defendants to stop dressing like police. She was not available Friday.
The dance at Early Morning Hall on Stewart turned violent when several girls jumped on a 16-year-old Chaney High School student, police said. The victim ended up with bumps on her forehead, a swollen cheek and eye, and scratches, reports show.
Deputy used pepper spray
A Mahoning County deputy sheriff also working security at the dance said in her report that she saw the victim on the floor in a fetal position, surrounded by a crowd. The deputy used pepper spray to break up the fight, and some of it inadvertently landed on the victim, who has asthma.
The East Auburndale Avenue girl was treated at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
Six city police cars were sent to the hall to restore order. Upon arrival, officers saw the deputy and four individuals dressed as constables.
After dispersing the crowd, the officers turned their attention back to the so-called constables, who had removed and hidden their equipment belts, reports show.
meade@vindy.com