Proposal sensible for E. Washington
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In an editorial published in October, we supported the notion that East Washington borough should consider merging its police force with that of the city of Washington, citing the cost savings and efficiency it would yield.
It is in keeping with this newspaper’s long-held editorial stance that constituents would be better served, and tax dollars would be saved, if the patchwork of municipalities that clutter the map would join forces and consolidate their services.
“Pennsylvania’s municipal structure might have worked well in the days before modern communication and transportation,” we noted, “but it is a hindrance to good government today.”
Last Monday, more than 100 East Washington residents turned out to support the East Washington police department at a public hearing, arguing that the force, which consists of one full-time chief and 16 part-time officers and costs about $200,000 annually to maintain – about $91 per resident – is a vital component of the borough’s identity. Some contended that, somehow, crime from Washington would seep into East Washington if the city’s police were left to patrol the borough.
“I feel that the fabric of our community would unravel,” one resident said.
But the fabric of the East Washington community has remained intact even as they receive fire service from the city, and it would likely endure if the city’s police cars patrolled its streets. Our opinion remains unchanged – East Washington outsourcing its police protection makes sense.
It’s even more sensible when you consider Washington has apparently made a proposal to offer police protection to the borough for $118,000, a full $82,000 less than what the borough is currently paying, and less than half of a $260,000 budget proposal to reorganize the department so it has a full-time chief, a full-time officer and four to seven part-timers. Though questions must be raised about the plan, which would apparently offer “80 percent coverage,” borough residents and their elected officials should take it seriously.
We said it in October and we’ll say it again: We hope the city and the borough can come to an agreement that will almost certainly be beneficial to both.