Residents of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, are continuing to demand answers following a widely shared Facebook post and video discussion involving Mayor Daniel Berard and a group of young people at the Second Street playground.
The situation, which has circulated heavily on social media for more than a week, has sparked debate, speculation, and growing calls for an official explanation from borough leadership.
John Deppen, a resident, raised the issue publicly, questioning the lack of communication from officials.
He wrote that more than ten days had passed since the incident and more than a week since the video surfaced online, yet the community had not received any formal update.
Words matter.
The absence of words also matters.
It’s been more than ten days since the encounter at the Second Street playground involving a group of young people and Mayor Daniel Berard.
It’s been more than a week since a video of the encounter appeared here on Facebook.
Our community has heard nothing from anyone in an official capacity about the matter. There are legitimate questions to which we deserve answers – is there an investigation? If so, who is investigating? Will we be informed of the results of the investigation? If not, why not?
An uninformed public is prone to speculation, which more often than not is unhelpful. If patience is required to let the investigation unfold, then let us know that.
The next borough council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00pm. I plan to be there. I encourage others to do the same. I have not attended a council meeting in a long time, and that is on me.
Deppen emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that unanswered questions were fueling public speculation.
He asked whether an investigation was underway, who was responsible for it, and whether the public would be informed of any findings.
Deppen also pointed out that the next borough council meeting is scheduled for May 5 at 7:00 p.m., encouraging residents to attend to seek clarity directly from officials.
His post set the tone for a lengthy and divided comment section, where residents debated responsibility, conduct, and the role of local government in addressing the incident.
Residents Divided Over Conduct and Accountability
The conversation quickly split into differing viewpoints. Devin Sloan expressed concern about leadership behavior and accountability.
Sloan wrote that while the young people involved may have acted inappropriately, public officials are expected to maintain a higher standard.
He stated,
Thank you John Deppen. I appreciate this concerning you. Accountability and answers.
Were the kids disrespectful? Yes. But it is our responsibility in those type of positions to set a better example. It is not always easy. The word used makes me uncomfortable even when used in slang, but i am not a minority and can not speak to what is and is not acceptable in that regard. So while it makes me uncomfortable to hear the kids using it, it is more disheartening to hear someone who is supposed to be representing the town using the terminology regardless of the situation. Our current social climate is so on edge right now with everything going on. Investigations and accountability matter.
Another commenter, Dakota Noel, focused on the uncertainty surrounding the video. “I watched the video and apparently missed the part where the mayor calls anyone the n word,” Noel wrote.
He added that although the mayor appeared impaired, the situation may have been influenced by provocation. Noel also stressed the importance of community unity, saying residents should treat all ethnicities with respect and avoid using offensive language in any context.
Jayme Bingaman-Gobora shared a contrasting perspective, claiming that the mayor was repeatedly targeted with offensive language during the encounter. She wrote that she had been told the young people involved frequently used such language in public spaces, describing the environment as “all you heard from that group of kids.”
From what i saw he was REPEATEDLY called nR. and when he responded “im not your (n word) they all blew up yelling “you cant say that, you cant say N. My husband had the girls down there one night and he came back in 15 minutes and said that’s all you heard from that group of kids. Swearing, yelling N to everyone.
On the other hand, Stacy Yost George offered a more critical view of the mayor’s conduct.
She argued that the video suggested signs of intoxication and questioned why he was present at the playground in the first place. George wrote, “Nobody was right here,” suggesting that both sides contributed to the escalation.
Broader Community Debate Over Youth Behavior and Public Space
The incident also sparked discussion about youth behavior and public spaces in Northumberland.
Sheila Stine stated that the playground is intended for young children and expressed frustration with older teens using the area.
The playground was made for young children to play with parent supervision, but it’s Always full of trouble making teenagers. He was correct in telling them to go home.
In contrast, Diane Marie pushed back strongly, arguing that the space is meant for all ages.
Sheila Stine the playground (and basketball court) is there for ALL AGES of children (including those teens!). Where else are they going to go? Growing up in Norry we had Jolly Hollow (now a dog park) to play tennis, basketball, ice skate in the winter… the swimming pool in the summer.
Now the teens have NO WHERE to go to exercise outdoors for recreation. Stop blaming them for being “troubkemaking teens” when they need an outlet and the town has literally taken it all, away.
We should be asking the town where & what the money for running those types of recreations is going these days!?!? I mean, should they sit inside and play video games all day?
Let’s not talk about cursing, because growing up, all of us did it.
GIVE THEM A HEALTHY OUTLET!!
She highlighted the lack of recreational options in the community and urged leaders to provide better outlets for young people rather than blame them for their behavior.
Meanwhile, Peggy Wallish questioned the incomplete nature of the video and emphasized the importance of not rushing judgment based on social media footage alone.
She also noted that official procedures should be followed instead of public debate, replacing formal investigation.
As discussions continue online, residents appear united on one point: they want clear communication from local officials.
With a borough council meeting approaching, many in the community say they hope the matter will finally be addressed in an official setting rather than through ongoing speculation on social media.
