Johnston made several points. First, that Lawrence Township has never asked Clearfield Borough to cover any police open-staff times or for extra coverage. All emergency calls are handled through the 911 call center, he said, and calls go to the Pennsylvania State Police if the township is short-staffed or needs backup.
Additionally, Johnston said, the Lawrence Township Police Department covers the Clearfield County Fair perimeter, since all fair traffic passes are through Lawrence Township. This, he said, requires a lot of township police overtime. He said the supervisors have asked Clearfield Borough for financial support for the extra coverage but have never received any, even though Clearfield Borough receives Amusement Tax income from the fair.
Johnston added that the township handles all the school calls, especially now that all the Clearfield school district’s schools are in Lawrence Township. He said the township has asked all the district municipalities, including Clearfield Borough, for financial help in maintaining police and fire coverage for the schools, but the township has received no support.
Johnston also noted that no fire call is ever turned over to Clearfield Borough when the township has down units. He said 911 calls for the township automatically go to other township units first, unless it is a multi-unit event, like the Colonial Courtyard Assisted Living Facility fire in June.
Johnston said the supervisors are very proud of their police department, especially since Chief Mark Brooks has taken over the operations and made a lot of good changes. He said they are also very proud of the all-volunteer fire department – people who put their lives on the line to serve the public in emergencies.
Johnston said the supervisors have worked many hours and put a lot of effort in the past to try to consolidate the township and borough emergency services, especially the police departments, but “plans were shot down by the borough.” He believes consolidation makes sense. He said it will provide more stable coverage and be a savings to both municipalities. He compared the size of the borough as a postage stamp in comparison to the size of the township in area to cover.
After a brief executive session, the supervisors re-adjourned and approved to hire Elliot Neeper as part-time police officer, rounding out the department’s staff with seven full-time and four part-time officers. Neeper also serves as volunteer fire chief for the township.