W. Penn looks at building safety

Improved safety measures are on tap for the West Penn Township municipal building.

Supervisor Ted Bogosh, as he has on several occasions, said Monday that in light of recent shootings elsewhere, he believes there’s a need for heightened security.

The most recent case was on Nov. 27, when David Richard Green walked into the Paradise Township building in Monroe County and shot sewage enforcement officer Michael Paul Tripus, 65. Tripus died at the scene.

Green told police he was having issues with getting permits for his home.

Bogosh said Monday, “It’s not that we want to keep the public out.”

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti said he agreed with Bogosh, and added he believes they should have security at the door and also at the window.

“I hate that it has to come to that point,” Prudenti said.

Supervisor Tim Houser said he’s since changed his stance on the matter and believes it’s the right move.

“I agree we need to do something to make it safe,” Houser said. “Unfortunately, it’s a sign of the times.”

Supervisors are looking at having a buzzer and a camera at the front door.

The board would also like to put a bullet-resistant window either in the office door, or in the office wall.

Township police Chief Brian Johnson will look into the costs for those security measures.

At the board’s Nov. 19 meeting, Bogosh reiterated that he would like to see a security window in the door of the township office.

Bogosh has suggested the board look at a bullet-resistant window, which he said would cost about $300.