expected to
take position
Lakewood’s public
safety director quits
Phila. officer
expected to
take position
BY JOYCE BLAY
Staff Writer
Mark Dorsey
After only seven months on the job, Lakewood Public Safety Director Mark Dorsey has resigned, citing personal reasons.
"This is very hard for me, but I’m very much a family man," said Dorsey, confirming his resignation to the Tri-Town News by telephone on Monday. "You really do want to make a difference, that’s what it’s all about."
Dorsey said he would not be rejoining the Philadelphia Police Department, where he was previously employed.
"I have some new avenues that will be more conducive to [spending time with] my family," said Dorsey.
Dorsey’s replacement as public safety director will be fellow Philadelphia police officer Wayne Yhost, who will assume the position in Lakewood effective Sept. 29, according to Township Committeeman Ray Coles.
"One of the things that impressed us most was [Mark Dorsey’s recommendation]," said Coles. "The names may change, but it’s amazing how similar [are the experience and qualities] that both [men] bring to the table."
Dorsey and Yhost grew up together in Philadelphia, playing football in high school together and later joining the Philadelphia police narcotics division, said Coles. Their careers dovetailed for much of their lives.
Yhost has 26 years of experience as a police officer.
Coles said Yhost will arrange to take early retirement from his current job with the Philadelphia Police Department, just as Dorsey had done in order to accept Lakewood’s offer of employment in the newly created position.
Dorsey replaced former Police Chief Michael Lynch, who retired at the end of 2002.
Coles said a contract for Yhost has not yet been drawn up.
Yhost was introduced to several community liaisons on Monday, said Coles.
Ada Gonzalez, an advocate for the Hispanic community in Lakewood, was present at one of those meetings. The others present at the morning meeting in the mayor’s office included Yhost, Coles and Miriam Medina, an employee with the Lakewood School District.
Police Capt. Rob Lawson was also called in to attend the meeting, said Gonzalez, but he was unable to do so. Mayor Marta Harrison was not present.
Gonzalez described her meeting with Yhost to a reporter from the Tri-Town News later that afternoon. She said she was stunned after she was told Dorsey will be leaving and Yhost will be taking his place.
"I couldn’t ask him any questions at first because my mind was numb," she said. "I thought, ‘Why is Mark Dorsey leaving? What have we done to him?’ I was upset," she said.
Gonzalez said she was told that Dorsey is leaving because he still has young children, including a 12-year-old son who has become a latchkey child as a result of Dorsey’s job and the fact that his wife had to work longer hours at the Philadelphia factory she owns that makes Christmas tinsel.
She said he also cited the long commute from Philadelphia to Lakewood as a contributing factor to his decision to leave. Despite her apprehension, Gonzalez said she was impressed with Yhost’s appearance and manner. Still, Gonzalez said she remained skeptical following the surprise announcement that Dorsey would be leaving.
"What’s to keep you from flying the coop?" she said she asked Yhost.
Gonzalez said she was told that Dorsey had personally recommended his friend and neighbor Yhost for the job and that since his children are older than Dorsey’s, he would not have the same concerns about committing the time and energy that Dorsey did.
"He said he’s giving himself six months," said Gonzalez. "The township will help him relocate if it works out."
Gonzalez also said that Yhost assured her he has worked with multicultural communities in Philadelphia as diverse as those in Lakewood, but on a larger scale.
That city’s loss will soon be Lakewood’s gain, according to Coles.
"The stars must have been locked up properly for us; [Yhost and Dorsey] are cut from the same cloth," said Coles. "I think [the town] is going to be equally impressed" with Yhost.
Coles said Dorsey and Yhost are expected to be present at the Township Committee’s meeting on Sept. 25.