A Pennsylvania community is feeling the pressure to cut all connections with a former assistant police chief and fencing contractor following his arrest for engaging in a racist verbal assault.
State Senator Anthony H. Williams, who represents parts of Philadelphia and Delaware counties, stood alongside the Delaware County Black Caucus and other community leaders at a press conference on Thursday. They voiced their demand for the immediate termination of any government contracts with J & P Fencing, a company that was previously owned by John P. Romano, a 46-year-old individual who may still have ties to the company.
A Black woman was confronted by Romano, a resident of Delaware County, leading to his arrest on multiple criminal charges. These charges include ethnic intimidation, terroristic threats, harassment, disorderly conduct, and obstructing highways. The incident took place on November 21.
The criminal complaint states that he was loading trees onto his forklift, obstructing traffic on a local road. In response to the delay caused by Romano, the woman confessed to growing impatient and honking her horn at the forklift.
Romano, a white individual, reportedly replied, “Who the heck are you honking at? Just shut your mouth, okay?”
Romano didn’t hold back as he unleashed a verbal attack on the woman, reportedly saying, “You know what, go get a banana. I’m not dealing with you today, plain and simple.”
According to the complaint, the woman alleged that Romano took a photo of her license plate and asserted that he had the authority to have her car towed. In addition, she claimed that Romano made threats of physical harm towards her, repeatedly using a derogatory racial slur. The woman stated that when she mentioned the possibility of involving law enforcement, Romano dismissed her by saying he was “protected.”
When informed by the officer about the potential consequences he might encounter, Romano reportedly responded, “So I am not allowed to use a racial slur?”
According to investigators, Romano initially stated that the woman had threatened to kill him. However, he later retracted his previous statement about calling her a racial slur.
“I didn’t call her a n*****,” Romano then told the officer, according to the criminal complaint. “I said, ‘Go get a banana, you monkey.’ That’s what I said. So, how’s that racist? She is a wild animal.”
According to Darby Township Police Chief Mike Sousa, the officers present at the scene were equally shocked, just like himself.
“It was pretty cut and dry and that easy,” Sousa said.
According to Sharon Hill Council President Tanya Allen, Romano, a former Sharon Hill Assistant Fire Chief, has been suspended by the fire company’s board of trustees. Additionally, the borough has decided to sever ties with him.
Senator Williams is determined to ensure that this principle applies to J & P Fencing as well. According to a spokesperson from the company, Romano, who used to own the business, sold it a while back and has not been involved in its operations for the past seven months. The company’s attorney emphasized that Romano was only hired for a single day of work and is no longer affiliated with the company.
Despite the fact that Romano is still listed as the owner of J & P Fencing on their LinkedIn page, it is worth noting that he no longer holds this position. However, he did respond to complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau on behalf of the company as recently as 2023.
Romano is scheduled to appear in court in February.