Letter to the editor: Parks Township should merge with other police departments

I believe that since November, Parks Township supervisors have been ambivalent regarding the welfare and safety of our community. The supervisors have had multiple closed meetings with three local township police departments, including Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department (SARPD). SARPD consists of Freeport, Gilpin Township and now Ford City. Ford City, on Nov. 27, held a tentative vote, and, one month later, Ford City approved disbanding its police department and joining SARPD.

At the Feb. 13 supervisors meeting, I questioned the supervisors why our township hasn’t decided to regionalize with SARPD. In attendance: Gregg Artman, chairman and police commissioner, who was silent, and supervisor Mary Ralston, who answered questions. I was not happy with the responses I received, including several statements that I believe are not true. This is not a supervisor I want representing our township.

Parks Township needs leaders who can govern, are decisive and progressive. Regionalizing with SARPD offers the township an opportunity to welcome 13 additional officers providing the 24/7 police protection we, as residents, deserve.

The next supervisors’ meeting is 7 p.m. March 20.

Mary Jo Knabb

Parks