Windber police will patrol Scalp Level, Paint Borough

Source: The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.迷你倉尖沙咀Dec. 29--WINDBER -- An 11th-hour agreement between Windber and its police union also means police coverage for two borough neighbors in 2014.Paint Borough and Scalp Level have quickly followed Windber's lead in approving a three-year police protection contract that goes into effect this week.When the new year rolls in on Wednesday, both boroughs will have familiar faces but a new department -- Windber's -- patrolling their streets."Windber worked very hard to make sure there'd be police coverage in our area, and we certainly appreciate it," said Paint Borough Council President Dennis Berkey.All three communities have been served by Paint Township's department, but the contracts expire at year's end. The township"s financial concerns prompted the move, with supervisors deciding to patrol only township territory next year.Windber announced plans late in the summer to restart its department.Windber leaders have spent the past five months working to make it happen, leasing space on Jefferson Street for a new police station and securing equi倉ment, cruisers and manpower.Paint Borough moved quickly to hammer out a deal for coverage, Berkey said."It's the best move for us," he added.Scalp Level council President Andrew Roman agreed, describing the deal as a no-brainer.Given that Windber's department will be staffed with soon-to-be former Paint Township officers, the police force will know the communities' streets and people well, Roman said."It means a lot that their officers know the town and people here," he said.Windber approved both contracts last week.Windber Councilman George Ledney said Paint's contract with the borough will provide patrols and police service for a total of $36,100 in 2014.Scalp Level will pay $27,500 next year.Both have three-year deals that include small raises to the contract in the second and third years.David Hurst covers the Windber area for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter at .twitter.com/tddavidhurst.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) Visit The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) at .tribune-democrat.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesmini storage