Nazareth mayor recommends contracting police service from Colonial Regional

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Nazareth Mayor Fred Daugherty Jr. has recommended contracting police services from Colonial Regional Police Department and told fellow council members there is an urgent need to pursue the agreement as soon as possible.

Daugherty has previously said costs to run the borough police department are high and constantly rising. During tonight's workshop meeting in council chambers, Daugherty told the public he struggled with how to describe the borough's relationship with the police department.


"Picture yourself in a cage with a lion and nothing to distract the lion with, but a box of meat," Daugherty said. "Every time the lion gets hungry, you toss a piece of meat. Our box of meat is running very low and it's only a matter of time before the lion starts chewing on us, mainly the borough."

He added, "It's high time. Council, I strongly encourage pursuing contractual services with Colonial Regional Police Department. It's the logical choice to make. It's the smart move."

After the meeting, Nazareth police Chief Thomas Trachta said he was a "little shocked" by Daugherty's recommendation because the borough police contract doesn't expire until 2012. He said he'd rather see a merger with Upper Nazareth Township or a contractual agreement with Lower Nazareth Township, which uses Colonial Regional police services.

"I don't understand how it can happen until after the contract," Trachta said. "There has been no negotiations with myself or the other officers. I can't see how it can happen until 2012."

Trachta said while the four full-time officers are expected to be offered jobs under the contractual agreement, he expects the eight part-time officers will be out of work since Colonial Regional does not employ part-time officers.

The Nazareth Police Department recently lost three of its full-time officers. According to Councilman Larry Stoudt, Trachta asked whether council members received a list of officer candidates who had passed the civil service test.


"Until we make some concrete decisions on our police force, we will not be hiring any police officers at this time," Stoudt said at tonight's meeting.


When reached at his home today, Nazareth Borough Police Association President Frederick J. Lahovski said the union would need to be involved in any contractual agreement talks and urged borough officials to talk with the union before moving forward.

"You simply can't make up a new set of rules because you don't like the ones that are already in play" he said.

Lahovski later added, "The only thing that can happen is a disservice for the people we should care about the most -- the everyday citizens of Nazareth."


Colonial Regional Police commission chairman Glenn Walbert said the department could provide coverage for Nazareth as early as the end of the year as long as Nazareth council and the police union approve.

"If they are going to make a formal request to have our department provide service for them, then we'll start working on the issues," Walbert said.

He said Colonial Regional has negotiated with the borough for about six months. It's up to Nazareth to try to broker a deal with its police union to permit Colonial Regional coverage.

"How the union would agree to move on with something like this, I have no idea," Walbert said. "Hopefully they can work something out." Or, the borough could wait for the police contract to expire in 2012.

"We're willing to work with them if that's the direction they want to go in," Walbert said.

Daugherty's recommendation came after Colonial Regional Police Chief Roy Seiple in April presented a detailed overview of how his department operates.


"I strongly encourage council to make that move ASAP to negotiate contract services with Colonial Regional," Daugherty said.


During his April presentation, Seiple said borough officials would have a say in running Colonial Regional, but would not have a vote on contracts. Municipal officials could come to monthly meetings and voice opinions, he said.


The department covers about 22 square miles and operates on a $3 million annual budget. It covers a population of 20,000 people. Colonial Regional provides 24-hour service to Bath, Hanover Township and Lower Nazareth Township. Chapman Borough is contracted with Colonial Regional.

Nazareth's next regular council meeting is 7 p.m. Monday.

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