East Washington should explore its options
It is understandable that East Washington Borough residents are concerned about the future of their police department. Many residents surely have great relationships with the borough officers who protect and serve the community. Nevertheless, the time is opportune for East Washington to explore its options. While council and taxpayers will ultimately decide the future of the department, all residents must acknowledge and address an underlying issue.
Washington County covers 857 square miles, with a population of roughly 210,000 residents. These residents live in 66 different municipalities served by 20 different police departments, including the county sheriff’s office and the Pennsylvania State Police. East Washington covers one half-square mile, with a population of roughly 2,200 people. In other words, the borough accounts for less than 0.1 percent of the land in Washington County, and 1 percent of the population.
Thus, the current structure of Washington County’s police services is economically and geographically illogical and unsustainable. A separate police force in East Washington is unnecessary, especially considering the proximity of the Washington Police Department, less than one mile away. Furthermore, East Washington already relies on the city of Washington for fire protection, so moving to city police protection would certainly be a step toward efficient municipal consolidation. City police protection would provide borough residents with access to a modern police force at a lower cost to the taxpayer.
In return, East Washington is a community asset, and would not be lost if consolidated with the city. It would retain its prestige and historical value, but as a designated historic neighborhood instead of a separate municipality.
Municipal consolidation is an issue that will not be resolved overnight. But if East Washington decides to continue funding its own police department, matters will only become more convoluted, unsustainable, and unnecessarily laden with the red tape of bureaucracy in the future.
Michael McCormick
Washington