Boardman clergy urge support for police levy at Sunday march

Opinion: June 24, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

The members of the Board- man Ministerial Association invite all Boardman registered voters to support the police levy on Aug. 2.

Boardman is at a crossroads. Just a few years ago, we had 63 police officers; now we’re down to just 47. A few years ago there were about 12 drug busts per year, now we average one to two per week. In addition the Boardman Police Department has identified over 300 suspected drug dealing locations — many more than can be effectively addressed. The criminals know these facts. It’s time for us to make sure all our residents know them as well.

Over the last several years, our police force has been shrinking while crime has been increasing. That places every person in our community at risk. The police now face a situation where they are, for the most part, responding to crime instead of deterring it. You can help draw the line against crime.

Voting yes for the police levy will result in the hiring of 10 new officers and retain two additional ones. Also, eight additional people will be hired in support positions, freeing up officers from clerical responsibilities and better serving our youth and community.

Boardman has been a good place to call home for many years. It’s up to each of us to pass on to our children a safe and strong community. It is the opinion of the clergy of Boardman Township that this police levy is a critical necessity. We know that passing this levy will cost you a little more money (on average homeowners will pay just over $100 per year). However, unless we act now, crime will continue to increase, our quality of life will decrease, the value of our properties will decline, and homeowner expenses will increase.

We invite everyone to join us for a Candlelight Walk Against Crime at 8 p.m. Sunday.

We will leave from Good Hope Lutheran Church at 98 Homestead Drive (off Southern Boulevard) and walk to Market Street Elementary School. The purpose of the candlelight procession is to take a stand against increasing crime in our community. Stopping for prayer along the way will be an important part of the march.

Pastor Bob Quaintance, Good Hope Lutheran Church, Boardman and other members of the Boardman Ministerial Association