Staci Wilson, Susquehanna County Independent
Published: December 30, 2009

 

Beginning Jan. 1, Silver Lake Police will begin patrolling Forest Lake Township.

Forest Lake Supervisor Art Donato said the township has signed a three-year contract with Silver Lake for the service, at $40,000 per year.

Forest Lake signed the contract in a special meeting held Dec. 21. Silver Lake also held a special meeting the same night to approve the contract.

To pay for police coverage, and to accommodate the regular budget needs, Forest Lake taxpayers will see a one mill increase in their township tax bill.

Silver Lake Police Chief Tim Burgh said the contract is the same one the police agency has with Franklin Twp.

 Donato and Burgh said the move to add police is not something that happened overnight but the township and the police had been working on the measure for more than a year.

“Concerns are growing over speeding, traffic accidents and vandalism on township property,’ said Burgh.

He said the move was another effort to help out neighboring townships and benefit Silver Lake as well.

“It also takes some of the burden off the state police,” said Burgh.

Donato noted the state police would still be providing coverage in Forest Lake when Silver Lake police were not on duty.

According to Burgh, no increase in manpower will be necessary to handle the additional workload. However, with a new township in the mix, it will allow the police to increase the hours of coverage.

Burgh anticipated being able to run two shifts per day, Monday through Saturday and possibly one shift on Sundays.

The Silver Lake police department has two full-time and four part-time officers.

As in Franklin, police will be available to respond to calls in Forest Lake a minimum of 40 hours per week.

“If we’re patrolling in Forest Lake and something happens in Franklin, we’ll go over to take care of it,” said Burgh. “We will try to spend time in each township during each shift.”

By adding another township to its coverage area, Silver Lake Police will be able to get a new vehicle, said Burgh.

“What grants were available for equipment are no longer available due to state budget cuts,” said Burgh.

The contract is available to view on the Silver Lake Township website., www.silverlaketwp.org.

On Jan. 1, Forest Lake residents can contact the police for non-emergency calls at 278-6818.