Allegheny Township expected to join multitown specialized police emergency unit

On Monday, the Allegheny Township supervisors are expected to finally approval the township’s participation in a special multitown police unit.

The supervisors had been mulling over the decision to join New Kensington, Lower Burrell, Vandergrift, Upper Burrell, Murrysville and Washington Township in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) since last year.

The team is made up of a few officers from each community who receive special training and equipment that enables them to respond, as a group, to dangerous or high-risk incidents such as hostage situations or apprehending potentially violent criminals.

“At the time, there was no monetary commitment in terms of what it would cost,” Township Manager Greg Primm said.

Allegheny Township police Chief Duane Fisher said there is no set amount a community must contribute, leaving each to decide what it will be.

Fisher set aside $5,000 in last year’s police budget and another $5,000 this year. That’s the amount the supervisors indicated they would contribute going forward.

The team also receives grant money from Westmoreland County. That is something Fisher stressed as a reason to make a decision now. He said he does not want his department to miss out on equipment and/or training the team will obtain through a pending $10,000 grant.

He said the township had to make a decision by the end of this week.

“I don’t think we can afford to miss the boat on this,” Fisher said.

“I’m for it 100%,” he added. “I think the tactics that we learn bring back benefits the department.”

One reason for the formation of the local CERT is that it can respond quickly. Fisher said the state police has a similar team well-equipped to handle such operations but the problem is that it draws on officers located in the organizations various troops throughout Western Pennsylvania and it can take several hours, to deploy.

“When there was an incident in New Kensington where undercover officers were shot, the CERT team deployed in 40 minutes,” Fisher said.

The three supervisors agreed the township should join the special unit. But the township must pass an ordinance that will allow its officers to work outside the township and allow officers from other departments to respond in the township. Primm said that he will have to write a letter to the CERT administrative board informing it that the township plans to join but will not be able to advertise and then pass the ordinance until April.

Fisher indicated that should not be a problem.

“They definitely want us to participate,” he said.