Letter to the Editor

Editor:
I am concerned for all the residents of Clinton County, as to the potential “defunding” of the Lock Haven Police Department, by the City Manager, resulting in a loss of four hours of police coverage for residents. I am not a certified bean counter, as the City Manager is, but if there are 14 uniformed officers, plus 4 plain clothed officers in the police department, I believe they have more than enough manpower to cover the city 24 hours a day. Let’s see, 14 uniformed officers, divided by four eight-hour shifts per day, equals three officers available per shift, to cover a 24 hour day. And that does not include the non-uniformed officers. There should be no need for Lock Haven Police officers to work 10-hour shifts. The State Police work 8-hour shifts.

The Bellefonte Police Department with 10 full time officers covers Bellefonte 21 hours per day. However, they have the coordinated back-up from the Spring Township Police Department. Spring Township surrounds Bellefonte and is Bellefonte’s primary back-up and not the State Police. And, Bellefonte does not advertise what shift will not have three hours of coverage. Lock Haven is stating that there will be no coverage from 4-8 a.m. each day. So, if I were a criminal, when would I choose to commit an illegal act with the least chance in being caught?

The proposed back-up for Lock Haven is the State Police. I wonder if the State Police have had any discussions regarding this proposed action from the city? What if they cannot support it? I understand the State Police have one patrol car with two officers, for safety reasons, that cover the entire county from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. until the next shift change. They already cover Lamar Township when the, part-time contracted, Mill Hall Police Dept. are not on duty or tied up, because the township powers to be decided to eliminate their police department. It should be noted, that the State Police will only respond in case of an emergency in Lamar Township. Don’t call the State Police about barking dogs, speeders, illegal 4-wheelers or other non-criminal issues either, as they will only respond to emergencies. I assume this will also be the case for the City of Lock Haven. Any other issue will have to wait until officers come on duty if your city/township has officers. If in a township with no officers, there is no non-emergency policing and residents have to put up with aggravating issues.

My further concerns are what if Mill Hall Borough and Woodward Township decide their taxes are too high for police coverage and decide to let the State Police cover for them? It is shameful that victims of a heath emergency, crime or traffic accident, between 4 and 8 a.m., may have to wait for needed State Troopers that may be responding to a call in Renovo, which is a minimum of 25 minutes away if they can return immediately. It also is not right that the volunteer fire departments will be burdened, the extra time required, to assist in an emergency, until state police arrive.

Lastly, if $400K is required to fund the Lock Haven Police Department 24 hours a day, I believe the money can be found from deductions in other city accounts. If not, raise taxes for this most important service. And don’t allow a police union to decide the police can work when they want. I am sure the city can find officers willing to work 8-hour shifts, as the Pennsylvania State Police also require.

Scott Knisely
Mill Hall, PA

 
(Editor’s note: A check at City Hall showed the city currently has 13 sworn officers including the Chief, the Asst. Chief, Detective, Lieutenant, three Sergeants and six Patrol Officers.  The most the city has ever had is 14 (1 extra patrol officer).  In the city’s proposal, all officers would still be fulltime officers, working 10-hour days instead of 8-hour days. The police department also has two fulltime clerks and two part-time parking enforcement officers, but they are not police officers).