Police chief lobbies for status quo

WESTCHESTER » In light of a possible borough- wide tax increase, Police Chief JimMorehead fought to retain a regular full staff of 44 officers, during Tuesday’s virtual work session meeting.

Morehead noted in the presentation, “Understanding Police Patrol Needs,” that serious crime is down 58 percent over the past 20 years, and this year, the department has sliced major expenses by $ 687,900.

The chief said police want to be proactive rather than reactive, while creating a buffer.

“Whatwe’ve done to reduce the crime rate is astounding,” the 31year veteran officer said, during a PowerPoint demonstration. “Providing a blanket is paramount.

“The demands continue to increase. I do not want to see a reduction of force size.”

In the past, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, up to 14 officers patrolled the borough’s southeast area. At the moment, the force is down nine officers from a regular full staffing level of 44 officers.

“We want to get all those officers back, they are needed in the southeast,” Morehead said.

Four officers have already, or are about to, retire and Morehead wants to hire and have a full staff of 44 officers back by Jan. 1. A preliminary 2021 borough budget reflects Morehead’s wish. A new officer costs from $ 90,000 to $ 100,000 for the first year of service.

Seven factors contribute to police staffing: community demand and what residents expect; willingness of a municipality to fund; the support of elected officials; and credibility of the police.

Factors include: police ‘ problems’ as statedby officers; non- police factors, such as enforcement of ordinances; and press and media coverage in the county seat.

Savings of $ 687,400 were attributed mostly to a decrease in salaries of $ 457,900, with the retirement of Chief Scott Bohn, a sergeant and patrolman, for additional savings of $ 337,800. Three officers retired for a decrease of $ 61,300.

Eight officers, including Morehead, voluntarily realized a temporary salary freeze for a sav

ings of $ 17,600. An officer in the U. S. Army saved the borough $ 15,000 and a furloughed employee saved $ 26,000.

Budget cuts for vehicles, weapon replacement, training and three months with no overtime during the pandemic saved $ 223,000. The mayor’s expenses were also reduced by $ 6,000.

Morehead said that while considering current national standards, the department should host 46 officers, including six that patrol East Bradford Township.

Four patrol squads, or individual officers in vehicles, is the bare minimum to patrol three patrol sections, the chief said. Officers work 12 hour shifts, with a minimumof four officers during the day and four at night. At least two officers respond to almost every call, which often leaves areas of the borough

unprotected.

Morehead discussed hiring seven new officers, for a total of 44.

With just 43 officers, Morehead said residents “wouldnot see a decrease in current service… and that’s not going to shake us up.”

Down two officers, the department would realize a spike in overtime hours. “Lose three officers and the borough would lose vital police services,” the chief said.

Morehead suggested that

the borough might delay hiring one position for six months and reevaluate at the end of that time period.

The Daily Local News will report on Wednesday’s preliminary budget vote for Friday’s print edition. An earlier budget had projected a 32 percent property tax increase and it is likely that council will vote to enact a 6 to 7 percent property tax increase, along with an average $ 10 permonth utilities increase, if “rainy day” savings are not tapped.