MAHONING, PULASKI TWPS. Officials take another step toward a joint police force

A regional force would be less costly for Pulaski, a study says.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Regional police coverage in Mahoning and Pulaski townships may not be far off.
Pulaski Township supervisors agreed Monday to appoint two supervisors to the regional police commission. Mahoning Township supervisors are expected to act today to do likewise.
Supervisors say the next step is to formally decide if a regional police force will be established. If either township rejects the plan, it won't happen, said Lew Grell, Pulaski Township supervisor.
Grell and Tom Gates will be Pulaski's commission representatives.
Supervisors from both townships have been looking into creating a regional police force for more than a year.
Study
The Pennsylvania Governor's Center for Local Government Services completed a study and made recommendations.
The study contends a regional police force would give both areas the ability to have 24-hour police coverage. Pulaski's one full-time chief and patrol officer work a total of only 16 hours daily, and Pennsylvania State Police handle all calls in Mahoning Township.
"That's our goal," Grell said. "We'd like to have 24-hour coverage. To afford that now would be a huge cost."
The study shows the cost of a regional force would actually lessen police expenditures for Pulaski Township.
The total cost of establishing a regional police force is estimated to cost $213,315. Mahoning Township would pay 48 percent of the cost or $103,500 and Pulaski's share would be $109,819. The cost for Pulaski is greater because it has a larger population, the report says.
The report noted that Pulaski Township spent $125,864 on police services in 2002. When both the chief and officer are off duty, the state police handle calls.
No time frame
Grell said no time frame has been set to when the police commission will present its report, but he said he expects it would happen before the end of the year. He said the regional police force could also come to fruition before the end of the year.
In other business, supervisors approved paving or sealing portions of these roads: Greenhouse, Tanglewood, Rayner, and Heather Heights roads, Melody, Dogwood and Shady lanes, and Woodland, Thornhill and Conestoga drives.