Public debates police merger

Some people want the issue to be put on the ballot as a referendum.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- Some Shenango Township residents think voters should decide if the municipal police force should become part of the Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Department.
Township supervisors are considering that possibility and had a public hearing Wednesday on the idea at West Middlesex High School.
About two dozen residents showed up, as well as all five of the township's full-time police officers and many of the Southwest officers.
Some of the residents made it clear they don't think much of the merger idea.
"I'm pretty happy with our police department," said Yvonne Hassell of the Hubbard-West Middlesex Road.
Officers from Southwest don't know the area like the township officers do, she said.
Put the issue on the ballot to see if people want a police merger, said Bill Williams, a former township supervisor. "I don't think they do."
If the supervisors refuse to put it on the ballot, township voters can circulate petitions asking the election board to do it, Williams added.
William Kuhn of Oak Leaf Estates and Hassell also suggested the merger idea be put on the ballot.
But Atty. Robert Tesone, township solicitor, said there are no provisions in the law for that type of referendum. Supervisors are elected to make governmental decisions, he said.
Louise Macabobby of Clubhouse Drive said she favors the merger and attempted to get the supervisors to offer their opinions. Larry Robinson, supervisor board chairman, said a vote couldn't be taken at the public input meeting.
He said later that the supervisors would like to see a decision made in May.
Officers not against it
Supervisor Robert Flack asked the five township officers at the meeting for their opinions. None spoke against it. Several pointed out that it would provide improved response to calls, backup safety for officers and provide better investigative capabilities.
Shenango Township is paying $360,000 to maintain its police force this year, and Southwest has offered to hire the township's five full-time officers and provide increased service for $355,000 this year. That figure would be pro-rated based on how much of the year the service is provided. The annual cost would rise about $20,000 for 2005.
The township has only one car on the road most of the time but does have two cruisers working for eight hours three days of the week.
Southwest will have two cars covering the township and West Middlesex, which cuts the township in half, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Riley Smoot, Southwest police chief, said he fears people are looking at this as a takeover, but that's not the case.
"Together, we can make an awesome department. The benefits outweigh everything else," he said.
Most township officers will get a pay raise, he added.
Ron Preston, township police chief, said the expanded department of 28 officers would have two full-time detectives. He does part-time detective work alone now, he said.