Summit Hill not ready to provide PV security

Summit Hill Borough Council made it clear Monday it isn’t ready to provide regular patrols to Panther Valley School District.

The borough will ask for reimbursement on part-time patrolling that occurs.

Council said it isn’t considering helping the district hire a full-time school resource officer because the district doesn’t have the finances to reimburse the borough. Council members feel the costs should be shared not only by the district but the four municipalities — Summit Hill, Coaldale, Lansford and Nesquehoning — which make up the district.

Earlier this month, council agreed to have a part-time police officer make unannounced, routine patrols to the high school and middle school. Borough Secretary-Treasurer Kira Steber said the action means the borough will finance the cost of these patrols.

On Monday, council directed Steber to compile costs for patrols, and solicitor Michael Greek will seek reimbursement from the district.

The high school and intermediate school are within the borough limits.

Council member David Wargo said there isn’t another school district in the county that wants to rely on municipal police for a school resource officer.

He then criticized the school district, saying, “We can’t even get them to lock their doors and fix their cameras and they want us to put an officer at risk.”

At the council meeting earlier this month, Superintendent Dennis Kergick said the district is getting updated cameras.

Wargo also said there is no formal contract proposed by the district for supplying a resource officer.

“I’d like to see something in writing that’s solid,” he said.

Council President Michael Kokinda said in the school district, there is a retired police officer who is a disciplinarian.

Chief of Police Joseph Fittos Jr. said that when the disciplinarian has a criminal situation, the borough police are summoned to issue a citation or make a criminal arrest. He said a disciplinarian is not the same as a resource officer.

Council member Karen Ruzicka stressed the need for metal detectors and locks on doors at the school buildings, which she said is “more of a prevention than any officer.”

She also said she doesn’t feel the need for armed security because there is no armed security at night activities. “There’s just as much risks at night as there are during the day,” she said.

Kokinda agreed and said previously when events were held at night, the hallways were gated so nobody could enter them. He said this isn’t the case now.

Fittos agreed with things council members said but he feels a resource officer is needed. “If somebody goes in there with a gun, the only thing that will stop them is an armed officer.”

“My problem with creating the position is that we don’t have enough information,” said council member Gregory Kosciolek.

Council member Billy O’Gurek said his main concern is finances. He said the school district said it can pay only $60,000 toward the position. “Issues with school funding are happening all over the state but we shouldn’t shoulder the burden,” he said.

The council had estimated it would cost $120,000 a year for a resource officer for salary and benefits, in addition to providing an officer with a vehicle.

Fittos said for the borough to be reimbursed properly, the district would have to raise taxes for residents in all four municipalities.

Wargo said if the council does progress to the point of being serious about a school resource officer, a public hearing should be held to receive input from residents.

“I think it will be a long time before we get to that point,” Fittos said.