West Easton Residents were informed tonight that there is still work to be done in getting state approval for the planned police force.
This means the hoped for January 1st target date of having a police force in place will not be met and according to Mayor Gross it appears that the earliest implementation of West Easton police and vehicles patrolling the community won’t happen until Spring.
Even when implemented it is likely to be supplemented with part-time help from State Police, according to Mayor Gross.
However, residents and any potential criminal element should know that State Police will answer to emergency calls if needed. As always, we should continue to be vigilant in watching out for our neighbors and community interests.
Protection at future council meetings will be provided by a certified security company.
The 911 system is still in service for residents and changes have already been made to the system that will direct any 911 calls correctly when the Easton contract ends.
The West Easton Public Safety Committee printed the following statement that was distributed at tonight’s council meeting:
For the past several months, the Borough of West Easton Public Safety Committee has been looking into options for police services in the new year.
With input from the Mayor and other council members, the committee has considered forming a Borough Police Department or relying on the State Police.
We are in this position because the City of Easton decided not to renew its police services contract with the Borough. That contract expires at midnight on Tuesday, December 31.
Although we have taken some steps toward forming a Borough Police Department, we decided it would be best not to rush into anything. So West Easton will begin 2014 with State Police responding to our police calls.
Our Council President has been in touch with the commander of the State Police station and he indicated that State Police coverage in West Easton will begin at 12:01 am on Wednesday, January 1, 2014.
This will give the Public Safety Committee, other council members and the Mayor additional time to consider the merits of forming a Borough Police Department.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
