Police to continue providing security at Irwin Manor

Borough police will continue to provide security services at Irwin Manor under an arrangement with the Westmoreland County Housing Authority, which will pay the officers for that .

Irwin Council this week approved the agreement with the county housing authority, which operates the building along First Street that provides housing for income-eligible senior citizens.

Irwin Chief Dan Wensel told council on council that officers who are assigned to Irwin Manor for certain periods of time would be paid overtime for their work. Their duties at the Manor will be in addition to their regular workweek and will not take away from regular patrols conducted in the borough, the chief said.

The housing authority is using money from its capital budget to provide the extra security at the Irwin Manor, as well as authority-owned housing in Trafford, Monssen and New Kensington, said Michael Washowich, executive director of the housing authority.

The officers will be able to patrol the building, know the residents and “establish a rapport with the people,” Washowich said.

Shari Martino, borough manager, said Irwin could continue providing the police security until the funding is exhausted.