Coaldale's mayor says he believes that borough council cannot afford to hire a new full-time police officer.

Council members say it's not only necessary to fight crime and drugs, and will fit in the borough's budget.Mayor Joel Johnson addressed borough council during its meeting this week.He said he disagreed with the recent decision to advertise an opening for a full-time position with the Coaldale Police Department. Johnson was absent from that meeting."I believe council is being financially irresponsible in making a motion to hire full-time police policemen," Johnson said in his report to the board.Johnson cited figures from the Pennsylvania Mayors' Association. He said the average ratio for police officers in small communities is 2.5 officers per 2,500 in population. Coaldale's population is about 2,220, and the borough employs three full-time officers.He also said that based on the current police budget, it currently costs about $118 per resident to provide police coverage for the borough, something he doesn't want to increase."I don't think Coaldale could afford a full-time officer and with these statistics, it doesn't show that we need one," Johnson said.However last month, a majority of council showed that they would like to hire one, voting 4-0 with three members absent to advertise the position. Councilwoman Claire Remington said she feels the borough needs additional manpower to cover shifts and fight crime, and that part-timers don't seem to be heeding the call."Nobody wants to work part-time anymore, Joel," she said. "And as far as crime, come on. We've had meth labs, a crack house … there are two houses in Coaldale right now with squatters. You don't want that by your house."Councilman Harry Hontz Jr. said that the drug problem in the area has 'exploded' in recent months, furthering the need. He is an EMT with Tamaqua Ambulance."I deal with it on a daily basis," Hontz said. "To try and get a handle on the drug problem in this town is going to take every officer we have."They also argued that they have money to cover the position.Angela Krapf said that last year, two part-time officers made a combined $56,000, which could cover a new position. She said they paid an additional $21,000 out to other part-time officers. Council is also looking at grants to help pay a full-time officer."We're already spending that money," she said. "It's just now on a full-time officer that will be more committed to our borough and not split between other boroughs."Krapf's husband, Sgt. Keith Krapf, is the department's officer in charge.Two of the members who were absent from the May meeting also said they have concerns about hiring a full-time officer.Francis Hutta Jr. said that he feels that the crime rate will have peaks and valleys, and that maybe using different strategies with the same personnel would be better."Maybe there's an issue with our part-timers, maybe we need to do something a little different with our shifts, switch it up a bit," he said.Michael Doerr said he doesn't believe the borough has the money to hire another full-time officer at this time."My question is, what's going to happen when it comes to tax time if we go this route?" he said.