News

Jul 13, 2023

Dunbar discusses police protection

Dunbar officials would love to see more of a police presence from the borough department, but finding available officers has been challenging. Council President Jason Bartholomai questioned council if

Dunbar officials would love to see more of a police presence from the borough department, but finding available officers has been challenging.

Council President Jason Bartholomai questioned council if a part-time officer could be enticed to put in for some extra hours.

“Twelve hours a week is better than nothing,” he said.

Some council members said recently there were stolen vehicles found at the borough’s playground and there was a shooting on York Street.

“Right now we’re relying on the state police and they’re very good,” said Bartholamai. “Their response times are great and I see them in town almost every day. They’ve been doing a great job.”

Bartholomai said the borough police department currently has three part-time officers but they’re all busy during the summer, which makes it hard because the summer months are when they’re needed in the borough the most.

He added council has talked about dissolving the police department but has never done it because it is hopeful some point the tables will turn and it can get officers to cover the borough more regularly.

“I would even entertain higher pay, but that doesn’t even seem to matter,” Bartholomai said. “We’re a stepping stone. We get officers for a year and then they go to Uniontown or Connellsville or somewhere where they can work full time with benefits.”

In other business, council plans to press charges against an individual they have on camera defacing park tables. Allegedly the same individual has spread graffiti on public spaces across the borough.

The borough is in the process of purchasing camera systems that will be placed around the fire department, the ball field and comfort station and the borough building.

The borough is also hoping to look into grant opportunities. Bartholomai asked council members to give him a wish list of what they think the borough needs. Some possible items include a new salt shed, a mini excavator, a new borough dump truck and the repointing of the brick on the police station.

Council agreed on a logo for the borough. Bartholomai said the borough has never had a logo and now they will be able to use this on the borough website, letterhead and anything else they need.

Rachel Basinger is a Daily Courier staff writer. She can be reached at [email protected]