Borough may add a K-9 to its police department

Council gives OK for officer to apply for grants for unit

Sharpsburg council has moved a step closer to adding a K-9 unit to the borough police department.

Council on July 20 voted 61 to give Officer Jeffery Hussar permission to add the unit.

Councilwoman Brittany Reno, who cast the lone no vote, said she is concerned that overzealous use of the dog during traffic stops could trigger legal action against the borough.

“We’re not going to be making traffic stops with dogs,” police Chief Thomas Stelitano said. “We’re looking for safety for my officers and safety for the community.”

Chief Stelitano and several council members spoke about how K-9s were helpful in solving a string of car thefts in the area and how progress has sometimes been hindered when the department has had to borrow a K-9 from other communities to search for missing persons and for help with other cases.

“All I’m asking for is permission to start applying for grants,” Officer Hussar told council. He has been working toward his goal for a couple of months, and the Dog Stop is willing to supply food and Penn Animal Hospital will donate veterinary care.

“Get to work,” manager Bill Rossey said after the vote.

Ms. Reno also introduced a “complete streets” resolution with support from Carol Reichbaum from the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh and Eric Boerer, advocacy director of BikePGH.

“I’ve seen people in wheelchairs riding in the streets because they can’t use the sidewalks,” said Ms. Reno, who started working on the resolution six months ago. “Safe access is important in a town like ours, in which people rely heavily on public transportation. I’d like a commitment as a borough that road improvement projects include accessiblity for all from the beginning.” The resolution includes exemption if costs become too high or when space is limited.

“The failure to accommodate all groups have even required expensive retrofits,” Mr. Boerer said.

Ms. Reichbaum, who also is manager of the Pennsylvania WalkWorks program, said providing safe spaces for people to be more active and walk or bike instead of drive encourages them to become more physically active and healthier. “It’s all about policies like complete streets,” she said. “We want people to feel safe when walking. This is a great policy, even with the exemptions.”

Council unanimously adopted the complete streets resolution.

“We should probably set an example by putting bike racks in front of the borough building,” Mr. Rossey said.

In other business, council unanimously accepted the resignation of Councilman Tony Karpinski, effective Monday.

Mr. Karpinski is moving to Duncansville, Blair County, to start a new job.

The borough has 30 days to fill his seat on council.

Letters of interest for the position will be accepted until a public interview is held at the Aug. 17 meeting.

The person selected will serve until Dec. 31 unless the individual is on the November ballot and wins.

Mr. Karpinski thanked all of his fellow council members, commending each for their service to the community. “Sharpsburg will always be my home,” he said. “I’ll be back.”

“We will miss you, Tony,” council president Karen Pastor said. “You’ve been a breath of fresh air.”