West Penn Township has once again reemphasized that its police department - along with its widely popular programs - will continue on.

Supervisor Tim Houser discussed what it takes for a township such as West Penn to have a police department, which he noted the township elected to have.

“It costs this township money to have a police department,” Houser said, noting that many other townships do not. “We maintain the police department; we’re one of the few (townships) in the area that has 24/7 coverage.”

Based on that, Houser said he believes the township is “providing a very good thing” that others do not.

“We get the bare minimum from the state,” he said. “We’ve always tried to provide what we can afford.”

Valerie Coombe, president of Penn Mahoning Ambulance, noted “there’s just less and less volunteers and everybody’s hurting.”

Coombe said she understands the township keeping taxes low, but wondered how the township is going to be able to afford things when things keep going up.

Supervisor Glenn Hummel said there are multiple grants available for the police department.

However, township police Chief Jim Bonner said the department doesn’t qualify for a lot of it.

Hummel disputed that, and added, “there’s stuff out there. That’s a lot of extra work to do it, but there are multiple grants out there.”

“I support police 100%,” Hummel said.

Coombe said that she’s concerned about the ambulance corp, as their revenue source isn’t going up as fast.

Houser agreed it’s a concern, and that if the township doesn’t get grants moving forward, it may have to dig into its reserve.

“The township’s growing; it isn’t industry, it’s houses,” Houser said. “Nobody wants that; we don’t want to turn to tax increases, but that trend isn’t going to (continue) if everything continues to go up.”

Resident Jamie Lorah then questioned the township about the police budget.

She said her husband, patrolman Jason Lorah, was currently teaching the D.A.R.E. program while the township meeting was taking place.

Jamie said her daughter has been offered weed and alcohol while a student as Tamaqua Middle School.

“Jason is doing (his) best to educate,” Jamie said. “The middle school is a scary place, and it’s getting scarier and scarier.”

Jamie then thanked the township for supporting the program, and asked it to continue to support it.

“It’s a necessity,” she said.

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti told Jamie he agreed.

“I am 100% with you,” Prudenti said. “Whatever it costs we should do it, because if we get to one person, it’s worth it.”

Houser told Jamie the township has no problem with the D.A.R.E. program.

Hummel echoed Houser and Prudenti’s sentiments, and added the township has reiterated that stance for the past several months.

“Four months in a row, we are not getting rid of (CSI and D.A.R.E.) program,” Hummel said.

Prudenti said that “somebody’s going out and spreading lies and innuendos.”

“22% of our whole budget is going to the police department,” Prudenti said.

Houser said “it’s in the budget.”

“We have money in the budget,” he said. “If we didn’t care, we wouldn’t have that money.”

Resident Jackie Selitto of Andreas said she has family in the township, and wants to be sure the township is looking out for the best interests of the department.

“Everything police has asked for we have given,” Hummel said. “We need more police on the street.”