Manor Supervisors Pondering FC Police Contract
A contract to utilize Manor Township’s part-time police officers in Ford City Borough on a part-time basis is being considered by Manor Township supervisors, but a proposal has not been submitted yet.
by Jonathan Weaver
Ford City Police Committee members have twice approached Manor Township supervisors about contracting for police protection.
Supervisors Pat Fabian and Paul Rearick both confirmed that supervisors most recently met with Ford City Police Committee members Vicki Schaub and Jerry Miklos and Borough Manager Eden Ratliff the afternoon of Wednesday, September 23 – less than a week before the special meeting that presented some of the committee’s ideas for 2016.
“They wanted us to give them a proposal for full-time 24/7 (police coverage) and 120 hours worth,” Fabian said. “Our reply was (that) we will not give you a proposal for 24/7 (police coverage) because we would have to restructure our police department to provide that kind of service. What we did say was that we will provide a proposal for 120 hours.
“(However), we worked on the proposal, and when the supervisors looked at it, we were not comfortable with the number. We thought some of the line items should’ve been elevated,” Fabian continued. “Once we get that proposal (for 120 hours of coverage) finalized and a number we’re comfortable with after talking with our police department, we’ll forward that proposal.”
Fabian also made it clear to Ratliff that any contract agreement would necessitate Ford City reimbursing the township.
Tonight’s Ford City special meeting begins less than 12 hours after supervisors work on their 2016 budget. But, Fabian said the possible contract will not impact next year’s budget.
“This contract would have nothing to do with our police budget. (If) we would give (Ford City) a contract, they would reimburse us for hours that our police are in Ford City Borough,” Fabian said. “We’re not taking on any cost. We’re just providing the police officers.
“Manor Township residents aren’t footing the bill for Ford City police coverage.”
Other internal items also need to still be discussed.
Rearick understood why Ford City would approach Manor Township for coverage – even with Manor only currently operating a part-time police department.
“The State Police are taxed to the limit – they have ‘x’ amount of troopers that have to cover all of Armstrong County and all the way down Route 28 to Etna,” They’re going to prioritize their calls also – it may take awhile to get to a call in Ford City,” Rearick said. “That being said, it’s more beneficial to any local community to have either their own local police department or another neighboring police department they contract with to get more personalized service.”
“But, we’ve given (Ford City) no proposal as of yet.”
To answer any further questions, Fabian even considered attending tonight’s 5PM special meeting at the Ford City Public Library.
Ford City, Local News, Manor Township | jweaver October 5, 2015
By FTD, October 5, 2015 @ 6:37 AM
Will Manor be using FC police cruisers? If not, a mileage fee should be included in the proposal.
By jorn jensen, October 5, 2015 @ 7:40 AM
“We’re not taking on any cost. We’re just providing the police officers.” is oddly-stated. Manor would be taking on additional costs, therefore, must be reimbursed. Read the statement carefully and you’ll understand that is what is being stated - that such service would not be provided at Manor Township’s taxpayers’ expense without reimbursement. The extra police hours would have to come from somewhere, and be paid.
By Rat_Smeller, October 6, 2015 @ 12:33 PM
Jorn - Agreed. How can they say that they aren’t taking on any costs? Are they expecting the people of Manor Twp. provide FC Boro police coverage on the cuff? If I was a Manor Twp. taxpayer I would be up in arms over that.
By bob, October 7, 2015 @ 6:00 AM
Jorn/Rat_Smeller,
I would assume Ford City will be paying Manor Twp. for the police coverage. That is what I walked away with when I first read the article.
By jorn jensen, October 10, 2015 @ 9:04 PM
bob - correct - reading Pat Fabian’s statement carefully, that is what I believe that he intended to state - it is just stated in an odd manner such that people who ‘skim read’ would come away with Fabian stating that the service could be provided and not add any costs to Manor Township.
Providing the service probably would not be a massive challenge for Manor Township - collecting the money to pay for the service may require Manor Township police to ‘shake down’ FC Council.
By blutoblutarsky, October 11, 2015 @ 11:56 AM
If you know what Pat Fabian meant, why even bring it up and say it was “oddly stated”?
I think 99% of people would read this the same way Bob did.
By Rainbow Rider, October 11, 2015 @ 3:58 PM
Bluto, he’s looking for fault even where it doesn’t exist, it’s called sour grapes.
By Just sayin, October 11, 2015 @ 10:34 PM
That’s a sign of depression.
By blutoblutarsky, October 12, 2015 @ 8:53 AM
Rainbowrider- I agree. Some people just have to “be heard” so they can feel important.
If Snyder Brothers ever finds a market for hot air, they may be able to strike a deal with jensen lol
By Marc, October 12, 2015 @ 12:18 PM
We’re all talking about the same guy who’s only solution to the jail escape is to put up no hitch hiking signs.
By steve, October 13, 2015 @ 12:27 PM
Jorn, fantastic job regurgitating what everyone could read in the article itself. lol