—
“To me, it’s worth a look. If it doesn’t work out, nothing changes. We move on.”
No one looking into creating a six- and possibly eight-municipality regional police force could have said it better than did Steve Buncich, a Conemaugh Township supervisor.
Conemaugh and Shade townships last week came on board as talks moved forward on a force that could serve the northern tier of Somerset County. Others involved in the original plan are Paint Township and Paint, Benson, Central City, Scalp Level and Windber boroughs.
Those spearheading the effort had an important message for residents: It’s an idea only and any study by the state Department of Community and Economic Development would not commit any of the communities to partner in a regional force.
We find exciting the fact that leaders in several municipalities are looking for ways to offer their residents better police coverage at less cost. Any time entities such as municipal governments or school districts share services or make joint purchases, good things happen for taxpayers.
“We have a good police department,” Buncich said. “But if we can possibly get the same level of service or better for less money, we owe it to the taxpayers to explore a regional move.”
Absolutely. We suspect all elected leaders involved in the current talks feel the same.
As reported by our David Hurst, if all eight communities were served by one force, it would serve a population of approximately 20,000 residents and cover nearly 150 square miles.
The force presumably would be under the direction of a commission made up of representatives from each municipality.
Dozens of such regional departments exist throughout the state. We suspect many were hatched out of a need by individual municipalities to get a better bang for their dwindling tax dollars.
We see a regional police force as a win-win for cash-strapped municipalities and a public clamoring for beefed-up police services.
As any study on a regional force for northern Somerset County moves forward, we urge area residents with questions or input to attend their borough or township meetings.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
