EXETER — Residents voiced concerns in regard to the borough’s police force at the monthly council meeting on Tuesday evening.
Currently, the borough operates with a police commissioner and no full-time officers, causing residents to wonder if they are getting the necessary police coverage.
“Our shifts are covered all the time,” borough mayor Herman Castellani assured the audience. “Unless something happens that we can’t pick it up right away. Don’t believe the propaganda you read in the newspapers.”
During the meeting, the council members approved the motion to hire Andrew Labar, of Nanticoke, Daniel Thomas, of West Wyoming, and Robert Bartolome, of Old Forge, as part-time officers.
Castellani said he is also swearing in more officers this week, giving the police force 13 officers — which include five 32-hour officers — but none of which are full-time.
He also pointed out that the borough receives police coverage from three surrounding boroughs — West Pittston, Wyoming and West Wyoming.
Residents were also worried about the training the new officers have received and whether they are familiar with the borough.
“Growing up, I knew my officers,” said one resident. “We saw them in the community patrolling everywhere; we knew we were safe. I’m worried for my children — I have two young children, 6 and 10 years old — and they don’t know who our police officers are. There’s no stability in our police department and I’m really concerned about this.”
Castellani responded by saying new officers coming in are shown the area by current officers to familiarize them with the borough. He also said the administration will look into possibly hiring full -time officers in 2018.
“We are in October finishing this year’s budget and in next year’s budget we can probably plan a budget with the finance committee to hire full-time officers,” he said. “But, right now, we’ve almost come to a complete, fully staffed police department.”
