Beaver Falls mulls regional police force

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. (AP) -- A western Pennsylvania town's plans to double or triple the cost of police protection it gives neighboring communities has spurred officials to consider creating a regional police force.
Chippewa Township, about 30 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, has told officials in neighboring Big Beaver, West Mayfield and New Galilee that Chippewa may raise fees for police service to offset its growing police force.
Chippewa police have patrolled Big Beaver and New Galilee for three years and West Mayfield for five. Chippewa wants to triple fees to patrol Big Beaver and New Galilee and double its fees in West Mayfield.
"It's getting to the point where we don't want to handle too much more," said Tom Roberts, chairman of Chippewa's supervisors. "I have no idea how much it would cost each community to be part of a regional force."
Communities in central Beaver County met last month to discuss creating a regional police force.