Decision could provide better protective coverage for residents of Springfield and Chesterfield.
By:Vanessa S. Holt
Officials in Springfield and Chesterfield townships are looking at the possibility of consolidating their police departments to provide better coverage for the two rural communities, but agreed to carefully examine the options before moving forward.
There currently are nine full-time officers in Springfield and five in Chesterfield. Together the two townships cover approximately 50 square miles, mostly farmland and residential areas.
The idea behind the study is that a consolidated police department would give greater potential for response within the region and eliminate gaps in coverage.
It could save both townships money in the long run, but the specific details have yet to be worked out, said officials from both municipalities.
"The concept makes complete sense to me," said Chesterfield Township Mayor Larry Durr. "Whether or not it’s a doable thing, that’s what we’re trying to discover."
Mayor Durr said the townships would have to work together to gather information to make an informed decision.
"If it looks like it could bear fruit, we may break down into smaller groups," said Mayor Durr. "We are very early in the preliminary stages."
Mansfield Township will be invited to the next joint meeting tentatively scheduled in April, he said.
"Geographically, if you look at a map, it fits right in," said Mayor Durr. "We seem to have a triangle, with one leg missing, which is Mansfield."
Springfield and Chesterfield have each committed up to $1,000 to get the study going.
"My goal is to provide as good or better service at a more reasonable price," said Mayor Durr.
Springfield Township Councilman Peter Sobotka said last week that the discussion has not yet progressed beyond preliminary talks and agreed that a feasibility study must be done.
Mr. Sobotka said the townships will take a look at how much each department spends and see if there are opportunities to share services to avoid repeating expenditures.
"It was a good meeting, a good exchange," said Springfield Township Mayor William Pettit. "We’re willing to supply the information we have and will go from there."
"Crime doesn’t know borders," said Mr. Sobotka. "It doesn’t just stop because you’re in another township."
That point was proven on Oct. 12, 2001 when an armed Fort Dix reservist who had just shot and injured two soldiers and two police officers led police on a chase through both municipalities.
The pursuit ended in Springfield Township, where the gunman was brought down in a parking lot by police fire.
Springfield Township Police Chief Kenneth Gerber said a merger could provide an opportunity to fill some gaps in police coverage in the township.
"We would have more manpower to draw from," he said.
Training, vacation and other issues can put a strain on the nine-member force at times, he said.
He speculated that a combined police force could establish zones throughout the townships with officers assigned to each zone and back-up available at all times.
"If any of my input is needed I’m available and willing to listen," said Chief Gerber.
The mayors of both townships agreed that the issue deserves close study before any decision is reached.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," said Mayor Pettit. "Maybe some good will come out of it."