Everson may increase police presence
EVERSON – Borough officials said they are willing to increase police protection if residents are in favor of footing the bill. The approval for additional manpower is an option that will be presented to those attending a neighborhood Crime Watch meeting at the fire hall on Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.
While the purpose of the meeting is to supplement the borough’s police protection in the wake of ongoing vandalism, council president Mike Banaszak said further services would have to be paid for by residents in the form of a tax increase.
Those services include hiring a full-time police officer. The borough employs two part-time officers who each work 12 hours a week.
“That’s the only way we’re gonna do it,” said Banaszak.
Banaszak declined to comment further about the specifics, but noted that attendance at the meeting would most likely determine the final outcome.
With the police department operating about 25 percent over what was initially budgeted, council is continuing to make cutbacks in several other areas as well.
However, the borough received a $15,000 grant earlier this year from the Department of Justice that it used toward the purchase a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria with 82,000 miles from Mosside Specialty Cars of Wall, Pa.
Council agreed to the sale during a special meeting last week in which Mosside submitted bids for three separate vehicles with the car coming in as the lowest at $7,995.
Banaszak said the bid included the costs for a three-year/45,000-mile warranty at $540 and an equipment package at $2,085.
Eric Chistner, emergency services chairman, presented council with a list of additional police supplies it agreed to purchase with the money left over totaling $3,373 for a digital camera, printer/scanner/copier, fax, paper shredder, refrigerator for blood evidence, identification light screen, computer software and taser along with two rechargeable flashlights.
Banaszak said as an added benefit Mosside agreed to dispose of the 1995 Chevy Caprice sedan since it is inoperable, and will transfer the light bar from it to the Crown Victoria.
Council also conducted the following business:
– Set fall cleanup for Oct. 16.
– Announced a hard-to-recycle event will be held at the Wharton Township municipal building in Farmington on Sept. 30.
– Heard from Jean Luczka regarding accumulated grass on the streets from residents cutting in that direction that she said is causing a potential hazard for storm drains.