Council eschews police consolidation

BRIDGEPORT >> Borough officials announced a final decision not to pursue a police department consolidation with Upper Merion and honored one of their own officers for a life-saving act of heroism at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

The decision to retain the police department as a borough entity comes after months of consternation by residents, council members and Mayor Mark Barbee.

Against a backdrop of public outcry, heated exchanges at council meetings, and derogatory social media messages directed at the mayor which received regional attention, the call to cease the inquiry boiled down to an offer presented by Upper Merion that Bridgeport officials ultimately found unfavorable to the borough.

“We had a meeting to go over the offer from Upper Merion,” said Councilmember Tony Heyl. “And in addition to the public comments that we received — understandably not liking it — the proposal was not anything good that we wanted to do.”

“I don’t think it protected our officers. I don’t think it protected our budget. And it was not something that any of us that were in the meeting were in favor of,” Heyl said.

“The economics flat-out didn’t make any sense” added borough solicitor Salvatore Bello, who said the cost of consolidation would prove significantly higher than the amount Bridgeport now pays for its police. POLICE >> PAGE 2