West Kittanning Votes for Expanded Police Coverage

In November 2010, West Kittanning Council President Cliff Neal reads a petition from 200 residents requesting contracted police coverage with Kittanning Borough. Council tabled the petition which led to petitioners filed for the question to be on the ballot in yesterday’s general election. It passed 250 to 133.

by Jonathan Weaver

Approximately 250 voters – or 65 percent of the population – in West Kittanning Borough voted for expanded police coverage Tuesday, which might put Borough Council in a bind.

The question read: As a resident of West Kittanning Borough, would you approve to mandate the West Kittanning Borough Council to adopt an ordinance to enter into intergovernmental cooperation with Kittanning Borough for Full-time 24/7 police coverage?

The question was put on the General Election ballot in response to a resident petition signed by 200 voters in 2010 that asked Council to contract with Kittanning Borough. No further action had been taken until possibly now.

Jeanne Englert has lived in West Kittanning for 20 years and has seen the ups-and-downs of the West Kittanning Police Department, and was happy with the voting results last night.

“Obviously we’re happy this went through – we know it’s non-binding, we know council doesn’t necessarily have to act on this; however, we feel that by the results, residents in the borough have displayed their thoughts and votes for Council to seriously look at having an intergovernmental agreement with Kittanning Borough for 24/7 coverage,” Englert said.

Englert views the police agreement as a win for both West Kittanning Borough and Kittanning Borough, but agreed it would cost West Kittanning Borough residents more money long-term.

“They already told us that they will patrol twice a shift, which is much more than we’re getting now. It’s a win-win situation,” Englert said. “There is no loss in control, the ordinances will be enforced by Kittanning Borough, but anything that there’s a fine for in West Kittanning Borough stays with West Kittanning Borough – we’re not losing revenue.

“We are definitely by the numbers – is it going to cost more in the big picture? Absolutely. When you have 60 hours-a-week for $40,000 per year versus 160 hours-a-week for $45,000 per year, there’s a huge difference and it costs more in the end to have a small police department,” Englert said.

Borough Council President Cliff Neal voiced opposition of the police agreement during their council meeting last week and said the part-time police force in West Kittanning has improved since hiring Officer Robert Gahagan.

“Here in West Kittanning, we have a number of quality services that we give to our residents – bus service, access to the Kittanning Public Library, a playground for the children, our own fire department – and I feel having our own police department adds to the quality of service in the community,” Neal said.

Borough Council will next meet for their monthly meeting December 5 at 6:30PM within the West Kittanning Borough Building on Arthur Street.

West Kittanning Responds to Referendum Question

by Jonathan Weaver

A local borough council responded Tuesday night to an upcoming voting question.

On the November 8 General Election ballot, West Kittanning Borough residents will be able to voice their input regarding the municipality’s police force.

Council President Cliff Neal read the ballot question to Council and residents Tuesday night. The question will read: As a resident of West Kittanning Borough, would you approve to mandate the West Kittanning Borough Council to adopt an ordinance to enter into intergovernmental cooperation with Kittanning Borough for full-time 24/7 police coverage?

Council President Cliff Neal read the ballot question to council members at their monthly council meeting.

“Police Coverage Question: As a resident of West Kittanning Borough, would you approve to mandate the West Kittanning Borough Council to adopt an ordinance to enter into intergovernmental cooperation with Kittanning Borough for Full-time 24/7 police coverage?,” Neal read.

Residents will be able to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question.

The ballot question comes a year after 200 West Kittanning residents petitioned council to absolve the West Kittanning Police Department and contract with Kittanning Borough Police.

Neal said residents receive a quality service through the local police force, which includes part-time officers Chris Airgood and Robert Gahagan.

“Here in West Kittanning, we have a number of quality services that we give to our residents – bus service, access to the Kittanning Public Library, a playground for the children, our own fire department – and I feel having our own police department adds to the quality of service in the community,” Neal said.

Vice-President Bernie Bowser, Sr. said that providing quality services is one reason he wanted to join Council, and agreed residents would not get that if they contract with Kittanning Borough.

“That was the one reason I came on (council): to protect the citizens financial-wise and give them the services that we could afford, but I know what it’s going to cost to get the type of services desired here and their No. 1 responsibility is to that municipality down there,” Bowser, Sr. said.

At several council meetings, borough residents have voiced issues with the police force, prompting Council to hire Gahagan in August. But, Neal said that residents will not be able to complain to West Kittanning anymore about the issue if police service is contracted out.

“If we go with the Kittanning Police Department, the residents of West Kittanning are going to lose their voice with West Kittanning Borough Council. You can’t complain about the police coverage, call my house, stop me on the street or call me because at that point, our hands are tied,” Neal said. “The issues you are going to have then are going to be with the Kittanning Police Department – not with West Kittanning Borough Council and not with the West Kittanning Police force, if there is none.”

Neal has met with Kittanning Borough Police Chief Ed Cassesse and former Kittanning Borough Council President Gerald Shuster regarding the possible move, but he said that was years ago and he feels police activity has increased with Gahagan on patrol.

“Maybe people don’t feel that it’s getting better, but I do,” Neal said.

Bowser, Sr warned residents of a financial cost to voting ‘yes’ to the question.

“I think there’s a misnomer when you’re talking about this petition – you should understand that when something like this happens, it costs money, and that should have been included ‘Are you willing to pay another 3-4 mills on your taxes?,’ Bowser, Sr. said. “The service that they are getting right now for the buck that they’re spending, I think is super cheap.

“People should know that by voting on this that they’re voting on a tax increase,” he continued.

Councilwoman Nancy Capone said members are receptive to ideas.

“Council is always open to any suggestions regarding the issue,” Capone said.

Borough residents are able to cast their vote at the West Kittanning Fire Hall on Arthur Street next Tuesday.