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MILL HALL -- Police coverage is becoming an issue for Bald Eagle Township.
Township supervisors have attempted to get coverage through Mill Hall Police Department, but to no avail. The need for amped up coverage is due to late night criminal activity along Hogan Boulevard.
"We are getting a lot of activity -- not good activity -- out on the boulevard late at night. We have an abundance of folks having too much alcohol to drink and we are probably leading the county in a lot of things -- shoplifting, wrecks and all kinds of stuff," Supervisor Stephen Tasselli said during Monday's monthly supervisors meeting.
If the activity persists without coverage, the township will be "crucified by the state," Tasselli added. The township has been attempting to garner coverage for the last four to five years. They have been accruing funds in order to cover the issue.
"We have been accruing money to take care of it and look at it, but we have gone as far as quietly to set up an appointment with some other places -- smaller townships that have initiated this. We understand the expense but, on the same token, it's going to be a cost of benefit ratio for us to provide services to you if we're going to get clobbered by the state," Tasselli said.
According to supervisor Kenny McGhee, Jr., the Mill Hall Police Department is too understaffed for them to give coverage in the township.
"For them to give us any time, they would have to hire another employee. At this time, they don't have one," McGhee said.
Mill Hall currently covers Mill Hall Borough, Lamar Township and Castanea Township between three officers.
"I am still confused on why they don't work with us being we're adjoining (municipalities); but they drive clear to Lamar and to Castanea, and we are right next door. I'm lost on that," McGhee exclaimed.
Bald Eagle Township and Mill Hall Borough do "work closely together," according to Tasselli. If they aren't able to get coverage through them, the township will be forced to reach out to other departments.
"We try to have a really good relationship with them and I agree... I'd like to think about reaching out to other departments, even if we have to go to the City of Lock Haven. I don't know how fruitful that would be but we're continuous in all these places," Tasselli said.
In other business, township employees Derek Caris and Brock Gallagher will receive a 5 percent pay increase as voted on by supervisors.
"They are stellar employees that both have been above board," Tasselli said.