PAINT TOWNSHIP - A Somerset County police department recently shut down and now it's up to state police to keep the streets safe.
Paint Township supervisor Lewis Clark said the decision was officially made to disband the department after the last police officer resigned in the past week.
Clark said this wasn't a personnel issue or a union issue. He said this was a financial decision to discontinue the police department. He said it was the only way to stay within the budget.
"We do want people to feel safe. We are trying to provide a service here," Clark said. "Our mission is to reduce taxes again in 2017. We think we can do that by stabling the money we spend for police protection."
Sstate police temporarily are handling calls, Clark said, but the township is negotiating with surrounding departments to help provide 24/7 police coverage.
"Purchase services are where police departments will provide police protection," Clark said. "Then we will pay them a certain fee every year."
Clark said there's about 3,000 residents across a widespread area, so the township is seeking services from Windber Borough, Conemaugh Township or Shade Township.
"We believe that financially, we can do a better job of managing our budget by outsourcing or purchasing a service," Clark said.
Clark said there are about 500 calls, both emergency and non-emergency, that police are called in for each year in Paint Township.
"I think we will get a better coverage from another municipality," Clark said.
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