Apr 25, 2017 2 min read

Charleroi Regional Police Department could be moving out of the borough building on Fallowfield Avenue and into the borough’s former Bell Telephone facility.

Charleroi, North Charleroi, Speers and Twilight are part of the regional effort, but the police department that operates in cramped quarters in the central business district is pinning its hopes on the Mon Valley Community Services space at 538 McKean Ave., which includes a parking lot. “We’re early in the process,” said William McGowen, executive director of Washington County Redevelopment Authority. “There is no sales agreement yet. Negotiations need to go on. We’ll see what kind of price we can get that could be agreeable to both sides. That’s a big piece and the other piece is exploring different grants.”

The four communities, plus Fallowfield Township, have been working on a multimunicipal comprehensive plan since last fall under a $98,940 contract with GAI Consultants awarded through Washington County Redevelopment Authority, so the announcement about the possible new police headquarters was made Monday night at a redevelopment authority board meeting in Charleroi. Funding sources for this effort have come from the state Department of Community and Economic Development, the Local Share Account of gambling revenue from The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, the redevelopment authority and local municipalities.

As part of the comprehensive planning process, a five-community steering committee is examining other shared services as a cost-saving measure, McGowen said. A comprehensive plan could be finalized as soon as this fall.

Regionalization of police departments in Washington County has been a trend. Monongahela police also cover Union Township, New Eagle and Finleyville.

McDonald police also handle Robinson and Independence townships and Burgettstown, Midway and West Middletown. Morris Township, home to the village of Prosperity, is patroled 24 hours per week by a part-time regional police force based in Greene County. California Borough police answer calls in the Mon Valley community of Long Branch.

Donegal Township Police Department handles Claysville and, on a part-time basis, Buffalo Township.

Southwest Regional Police Department, based in Belle Vernon, also provides police services for Newell and Point Marion in Fayette County and Coal Center in Washington County.