MERCER COUNTY Grant will help police put the bite on criminals

The former Pennsylvania State Police building is for sale by the county.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer County is one of only six counties in the state to receive a grant to speed up identification of criminals apprehended here.
Computer equipment that will match fingerprints to a national database and provide "rap sheets" within minutes will be implemented some time after the end of the month.
The new system provides photo identification equipment and even matches a national database of scars and tattoos. Sheriff Bill Romine said the current paper and ink fingerprinting system will be replaced with one providing immediate criminal backgrounds to officials who now wait months for the same information.
Mercer County commissioners accepted the grant Thursday from Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association and County Commissioners' Association of Pennsylvania. The equipment will be installed at the Mercer County Jail and the Greenville and Shenango Valley Regional Lockups.
The Mercer County Council of Governments will pay $37,683 and the county will pay the remaining $12,561 of the one-third local match. Total grant amount, including the match, is $150,632. Commissioners stipulated that COG will maintain the system and no further contribution will be required of the county.
Building for sale
Commissioners also agreed Thursday to advertise for sale the former Pennsylvania State Police building at 519 Greenville Road, Mercer.
Commissioner Olivia Lazor said the county bought the building in 1998 with the intention of housing county agencies there. But she said even though the county made some minor improvements, the building never proved efficient enough for county needs.
She said the county paid $95,000 for the structure and it was most recently appraised at $100,000.
Also Thursday, officials from the National Weather Service presented John Nicklin, acting coordinator of the Mercer County Department of Public Safety, with a plaque designating Mercer County the first "Pennsylvania StormReady" county. The program, launched in 1999, helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs.
Other action
In other business Thursday, commissioners:
UAuthorized advertising the annual ordinance posting weight limits on county-owned and maintained bridges. County Engineer Mark Miller said of 41 bridges posted last year, four have had weight limits removed, three have had weight limits increased because of repairs, and seven bridges are now posted for decreased limits.
UHired Atty. Donald McKay as part-time solicitor for the county controller's office to replace Mark Longietti, who transferred to the commissioners' office. Salary is $3,937 per year, plus benefits.
UHired Mark Yassem as a full-time deputy sheriff at $13.89 per hour. He formerly worked part time.
UAppointed James Hughes of Grove City and Larry McAdams of Fredonia to the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission and reappointed Jeff Fiedler of Transfer, Regina Ehrhart of Hermitage, and Patty McClusky and Jean Hodge, both of Greenville. All are three-year appointments.