Regional police takes 1st step in West Hazleton
By MIA LIGHT (Staff Writer) / Published: January 27, 2010
The concept of police regionalization is on the table for West Hazleton Borough officials.
In a special workshop meeting held Tuesday at the borough community building, Daniel Guydish, executive director of the Mountain Council of Governments, presented the proposed regional police format to West Hazleton council.
According to Guydish, the current proposal recommends a one-mill tax levy in each of the three municipalities that would comprise the regional department – Hazle Township, Butler Township and West Hazleton Borough.
The dollar amount generated by one mill differs in each of the municipalities, but Guydish said it’s an equitable way to share the cost of 24-7 police protection across the region based on property and population.
One mill generates $210,000 in West Hazleton. In Butler Township, one mill generates $740,000. And in Hazle Township, one mill generates $1.2 million.
In addition to the one mill, each municipality would give all of its police equipment – radios, computers, vehicles – to the regional department.
Combined, the one-mill “police tax” from each municipality would generate $2,150,000, which would fund hiring of 16 full-time police officers, a chief, and a non-uniformed secretarial position.
