Catasauqua police confirm probe after ride-share driver refused ride

Bar owner, companion seeking a lift allegedly made racist comments

Catasauqua police are investigating after a video of a ride-share driver declining a borough bar owner and her companion a ride Friday night over racist comments went viral.

The video, posted by driver James W. Bode, shows Jackie Harford, owner of Fossil’s Last Stand, in the 400 block of Race Street, allegedly say, “Wow, you’re like a white guy.” Before a backand-forth, during which Bode accuses the pair of being racist, a man with Harford can be heard calling Bode “a f—— n-lover.”

Borough police Chief Douglas F. Kish said Monday no charges have been filed, but confirmed Harford is the woman in the video, and added the investigation is ongoing.

At 10:27 p.m. Friday, police received a call from Bode reporting the incident, Kish said. No other details were released.

The video has spread across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Reddit and elsewhere. The bar’s website and Facebook page have been taken down, and Harford’s personal page deleted. The bar appeared to be closed Saturday and the phone rang unanswered Sunday. It was unclear if it had opened Monday. Harford could not otherwise be reached for comment.

During the video, which lasts over a minute, the man says, “I should punch you in the f—— face.”

“You’re going to threaten me?” Bode asks, and then tells the pair he’s calling police.

Bode’s Facebook post has so far garnered more than 3,600 comments and 3,000 shares.

“For everyone reaching out and showing support, thank you,” Bode posted to his Facebook page early Sunday. “I appreciate it, truly. But this is the way it should be everywhere, every time. I shouldn’t be ‘the guy’ who did it or said it … we should all be that person. Speak up if you’re uncomfortable with it because it makes them uncomfortable, as they should be.”

Bode did not immediately return a request for comment.