newsnet5.com obtained video of an incident involving Seven Hills City Councilman Tim Fraundorf that led to a disorderly conduct charge in Parma Municipal Court.
According to police reports obtained by newsnet5.com, the April 20 incident involved Fraundorf and his neighbor, who was also charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Police had been called to the residence for disputes between the neighbors on eight previous occasions.
City of Seven Hills Building Inspector Richard Vittardi was a third party observer of the incident and provided a written statement.
He was at residence to ask the neighbor to move a wood pile and clean up dog feces. Vittardi said that at the close of the inspection, Fraundorf arrived and started “yelling expletives.” The neighbor responded and a “school yard fight” broke out.
An Seven Hills officer reviewed footage and audio captured by a surveillance camera.
The officer said there was a verbal argument about the property line, during which Fraundorf allegedly stated, “Kiss my f****** ass.”
The neighbor replied, “Kiss my ass.”
Vittardi is heard trying to deescalate the situation. The neighbor allegedly tried to instigate a physical confrontation.
The officer wrote that later Fraundorf is heard telling the man to “Be a man. You’re a f****** woman.”
According to the report, the back and forth “vulgar insults” continued until the parties were separated.
Fraundorf pleaded not guilty and has a pretrial hearing scheduled for June 20th.
A request for comment from Fraundorf’s attorney was not returned.
Meanwhile Seven Hills residents told newsnet5.com they were disappointed to learn about the councilman’s conduct.
“You would think they would have an unblemished record to be serving the public,” resident Susan Misconish.
Many noted that earlier this month, Council President Matthew Trafis pleaded guilty to dereliction of duty for releasing confidential information at a public meeting.
He was sentenced to 50 hours of community service.
“It totally makes me raise an eyebrow,” said one Seven Hills resident who asked not to be named.
Several residents told newsnet5.com that they wonder whether the criminal offenses are connected to the council’s decision not to fund dashboard cameras in Seven Hills police cruisers.
Mayor Richard Dell’Aquila told newsnet5.com that the choice was a “questionable move by the Council majority.”
I am firmly in support of the acquisition of police dash cams and body cams. This is the trend in all the surrounding communities. The costs of one incident alone would justify the expense. Unfortunately, Seven Hills City Council decided not to make this purchase, despite the availabilty of grant money.
This is another in a series of questionable moves by this Council majority, with the stated intent of saving a small amount of money, but with the potential of long term disastrous consequences for the city.
But Council President Matt Trafis told newsnet5.com that they council wants body cameras and they are exploring ways to cover the approximately $20,000 cost to the city. He said they are currently considering at least three different sources of funding.
“It’s something we definitely want,” Trafis said. “We’re just working on a way to fund it.”
Meanwhile Seven Hills police told newsnet5.com the delay could potentially be hurting their level of service.
“We just want to provide the best possible service and we’re just asking for the very basic tool and equipment to be able to do that,” Lt. Michael Salloum, Seven Hills Police Department.
Seven Hills police used to have VHS tape dash cameras that are no longer technologically viable.
