EDITORIAL: Washington was there to help during North Franklin’s time of need
When a gunshot rang out Saturday night following a fight at the Regal Crown Center movie theater in North Franklin, first responders were there immediately to help a boy who was shot in the leg.
A police officer and off-duty firefighter rushed into the mayhem to render aid to the boy, applying a tourniquet to his leg to stop the bleeding, possibly saving his life.
Were those emergency responders from North Franklin where the incident occurred? No. They were both from the city of Washington.
A lot has been made over the past three months since North Franklin officials disbanded their full-time police department. The supervisors plugged a gaping hole in their budget by eliminating the police department in late December and tapping Pennsylvania State Police to patrol the township.
Troopers also responded to the shooting scene and are investigating the incident in which several teenagers got into an argument with an unidentified Greene County man, who drew a gun that discharged. No charges have been filed as of Wednesday afternoon.
The firefighter, a 20-year veteran with the city’s department, was enjoying a movie with his family while off duty when the disturbance occurred. The unidentified firefighter escorted his family out, but returned with a Washington police officer to help with the situation.
“He was more than willing to run back in there not knowing what he was running into,” Washington fire Chief Gerald Coleman said Monday. “I am extremely proud of him.”
It often seems that the collar communities around Washington look down upon the city. Just a few years ago, East Washington rejected an opportunity to contract with the city to have Washington police patrol the tiny borough. The partnership would have saved East Washington money while offering full-time protection.
The city’s full-time fire department also provides services to East Washington at a fraction of the cost that Washington taxpayers bear.
Meanwhile, when North Franklin residents raised concerns about safety at Trinity’s three schools in the township, Supervisor Bob Sabot said police officers from neighboring communities would aid in an emergency. Most people took that to mean Washington.
And that’s exactly what happened Saturday night following the movie theater shooting.
As we’ve pointed out in the past, North Franklin is not farmland anymore. There are busy roads, a large shopping mall and growing neighborhoods in the township. If places like North Franklin or Canton don’t want – or can’t afford – a police department, it makes sense to form a regional police force based in Washington.
The incident at the theater highlighted the importance of having a local police department close by in an emergency. It also showed how Washington was there to help in North Franklin’s greatest time of need.