Grant allows Pitcairn police to purchase new patrol vehicle

Pitcairn Borough Police Department has been awarded a $42,000 grant to purchase a new patrol vehicle, allowing the department to address an expanded role more effectively.

The grant was administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development, which aims to enhance investment opportunities for businesses.

“Pitcairn Borough police recently took over policing in the neighboring community of Wilmerding Borough,” state Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Monroeville, said in a press release. “I’m pleased this new funding will allow the department to purchase a new vehicle that will help its officers cover the additional territory and adequately serve the new jurisdiction.”

Police Chief Scott Farally said he is thankful for Markosek’s assistance. Since starting to patrol Wilmerding Dec. 1, Farall’s department has gone from having two officers on a shift to three. Two additional vehicles, one purchased and the other procured through the grant, have helped make patroling the added routes possible.

“It should be excellent. We have had older vehicles for a long time,” Farally said, noting also that the department’s full-time staff has been increased from three to eight. “We needed that vehicle for traveling, for patrol duties. We couldn’t take just the same amount, status quo, and think you were going to get the same amount usage out of it. Now, you’ve got two boroughs, so you’re doing double the job.”

Despite the duties of patroling an additional borough, Farally said he’s pleased with how the increased load has been handled.

“I think we did all right,” Farally said. “A little bit of strain because of not having the vehicles, the proper equipment to do the job: I think it’s just like anything. We had vehicles, but we were trying to keep the same status quo, which was almost impossible because, just like anything, if you increase product, you increase demand for that product.”

Farally said the borough began contract work to offer a helping hand to Wilmerding.

“We figured we could do that and extend a courtesy to our neighboring community, as long as it didn’t put us into a deficit, which I don’t believe it will,” Farally said. “It’s only been three months for us, but it’s working out well. It didn’t put a strain on us. Our scheduling is good. Our manpower is good. The equipment is good.

“We already had body cameras and everything in play before that, so we didn’t need to purchase any of that equipment,” he said. “But I would say, for future reference, if you don’t have a police agency, it doesn’t hurt at least to reach out to find out what you can do to team up.”