A Mahoning Township woman has questioned why police activity isn’t shared with the public like other police departments do in neighboring municipalities.

Resident Linda Pollock told township supervisors on Wednesday that Palmerton, Weissport, and West Penn Township are among the police departments whose police activity gets published for all to see.

“Mahoning is like a blank slate,” Pollock said. “Why can’t Mahoning?”

Board Chairman Robert Slaw told Pollock that the board gets that information.

Supervisor Deb McGowan assured Pollock that the police department does have police vehicles, and that they are out on the roads.

The township brought on a consultant to help its police department run more efficiently.

Law Enforcement Operations Consulting LLC was hired earlier this year at a rate not to exceed $5,000.

Residents have complained about police coverage, particularly about hours when the department is not working.

Supervisor Ronald Reeser said at that time they were still waiting on a few items, as the consultant’s report was not complete, and they had not met with him yet.

According to LinkedIn, the principal of the company is Robert A. Schurr, chief of police in Perkasie. Schurr is also a Municipal Police Academy Instructor, teaching criminal law, courtroom testimony and demeanor, use of force, history and principles of law enforcement, crime scene processing, criminal investigations, report writing, narcotics investigations, ethics and legal updates.

Mahoning Township resident Andrew Yenser said last month that while the township has solid police coverage during the day, that isn’t the case from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Reeser said that’s part of what the consultant is working on, and that the board is going to take recommendations from the consultant.

Resident Jeffrey Miller said last month he has a concern over the lack of police presence on Mahoning Drive West, where he said a vehicle constantly speeds.

He suggested the township consider putting up some speed traps.

Slaw said the board could suggest that to police Chief Audie Mertz, who was not in attendance at the meeting.

Slaw said the township doesn’t have money to hire another full-time officer, and that none of them are in favor of hiring one.

Instead, he said the township has advertised multiple times over the past few years to bring on part-time officers, but to no avail.

Reeser added there are other avenues for police officers.

Residents have been appearing at meetings every month, asking about scheduling, overtime and part-timer officers.

The township has five full-time officers, counting Mertz.

This year’s police salary is $83,346 per year, which does not include overtime.

The township has an officer who will earn $122,000 this year with overtime.