Canton Township to consider police department

Canton Township is considering starting a police department to serve residents.
Supervisors, citing concern over state police response times to residents’ emergency calls, voted Thursday to authorize its solicitor to research launching its own municipal police force.
According to solicitor Dennis Makel, supervisors plan to send a letter to the township’s residents to determine if there is any interest in a municipal police department.
Currently, state police in Washington provide coverage for emergency calls throughout the township.
However, residents have complained state police are unable to respond to calls in a timely manner.
“The township is concerned about it,” said Supervisor Jack Sheppard.
He said the township would cover the cost of the police department by increasing residents’ taxes.