CLEARFIELD- It was a busy Thursday for many residents of Clearfield Borough as the discussions among Borough Council, Lawrence Township, and the Clearfield Regional Police Department continue down an uncertain path.
Nearly three dozen individuals held a rally outside the borough building during the day in spite of the freezing temperatures, hoping to urge Council to continue negotiations with both the township and commission in order to preserve the department as a regional body. It was 2023 when the township and borough merged together to form the regional police department, but in the last year, things between the parties have become rather rocky.
In November, the borough made a motion to end the relationship agreement with the CRPD in order to begin forming it’s own department. A month later, they voted to end the agreement at the end of the 2025 calendar year. At the same time, they also approved borrowing the requested $250,000 from the commission to pay the officers for the remainder of the year. Council borrowed the money from Lawrence Township, and in order to pay it back will be taking out a TAN loan.
Lawrence Township and the Police Commission, after seeing the approval of absolving the agreement at the end of 2025, filed a joint lawsuit against the borough, claiming breach of contract.
Both claim that absolving the agreement would mean no local police coverage for either area, and having to rely on the state police response, which they feel would lead to longer response times. On Dec. 22, President Judge Paul E. Cherry ruled in favor of the township, issuing an injunction for the borough to remain with the regional police and follow the charter agreement. Part of that agreement is that if the borough wants to leave the commission, they must issue a notice one year in advance. The borough filed this notice weeks later, while also agreeing to continue to negotiate with all parties.
At Thursday’s meeting, a pair of residents spoke on the department, noting about the fire last week that saw officers, in spite of the issues, rallied to save a family from it’s home.
“That is what immediate police coverage looks like. That is what 24/7 municipal policing provides; a fast response, familiarity with the community, and lives saved,” resident Alicia Neeper said. “Had the borough gotten what they wanted by the end of 2025, there would have been no local police on duty when that fire occurred.
“PSP does not routinely respond to house fires unless they are already nearby or specifically requested.” Neeper also said that the two municipalities should consider negotiations to consolidate.
Rick Mattern said during his time in speaking to council that he would prefer a local police department back in the borough, but was not against the regionalized department either. He did, however, note that he did not agree with the idea that the borough did not want a police department overall.
“There’s nobody on this council, nor in this room, that doesn’t support the police in any context,” Mattern said. He noted the borough’s decision to take out a loan just to ensure the police are paid was proof, saying “If that isn’t a good faith gesture on the part of you all for our regional police, I don’t know what is.”
Mayor Mason Strouse attended the police commission meeting the week prior, and is hopeful that they will be able to amicably come to an agreement. He also thanked all citizens that attended the rally, stating, “I think that is an important part of our process. It is important that your voices be heard.”
A week before Thursday’s meeting, attorneys for the borough filed a motion to reconsider the injunction filed by Judge Cherry, saying the ruling was legally impermissible under the circumstances, stating it had valid arguments against the plantiffs (Lawrence Township and the CRPD). The motion stated, “The Borough has not yet been afforded the opportunity to mount these defenses…the granting of this permanent injunction in this case is not only impermissible in these circumstances under Pennsylvania Law, but also prejudices the Borough, deprives it of its rights, and prevents the Borough from being able to mount its defense in this matter.”
President Judge Cherry ruled on January 15, the day of the Borough meeting, that the motion for reconsideration submitted by Clearfield Borough, “shall be and is hereby denied, as untimely.”
Borough Council will convene again on Thursday, February 5, beginning at 5 p.m.
