Pocono News Section

To Patrol or Not to Patrol in the Poconos

To Patrol or Not to Patrol in the Poconos - Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 4:10PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 @ 04:10pm EST
MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP - Middle Smithfield Township in Monroe County has talked about joining a regional police department for years. Recently the township surveyed citizens to find out what they think.

Residents in the township rely on State Police coverage. "Now we have an influx of city people and they're bringing their type of crime to the area," said Oscar Woerlein.

Since so many people agree and say they've seen crime rise, township supervisors suggested joining a regional police force.

"There's nothing bad about the State Police. They're a very good organization," said Supervisor Scott Schaller. He said the State Police just don't have enough man power to patrol much in the sprawling township. It's about 56 square miles.

"I hate that Middle Smithfield would ever become the wild wild west and you could pretty much do whatever you want to do," said Schaller.

To find out what residents think about joining a regional police department, supervisors did a survey. On election day, they asked voters if they would be willing to pay more taxes for police coverage. Forty percent said yes.

Jean Penatello explained her answer saying, "If i want to call the police I want to know that that police man is going to be there in a jiffy."

While some people say they're willing to pay for the extra protection others say it's just not worth it to to them. Woerlein explained, "The community cannot afford a separate police force. It would just be too much taxes to support it."

But Schaller thinks people might change their minds if they realized the state eventually charge for State Police coverage. "I wouldn't doubt it because I think that the state is hurting. The state is hurting for everything," said Schaller.

He said he will continue to explore the plan to get regional police coverage.

Township Supervisor Bob Spano says he does not want the township to join a regional police force but he refused to talk to us about his position on camera.