As many of you are aware, the Borough of Sugarcreek recently held talks with the City of
\nFranklin regarding police coverage. The purpose for these discussions was to review and evaluate
\nall possible avenues to achieve better police coverage for our citizens. Discussions between
\nSugarcreek and Franklin focused on what form any agreement between our municipalities would
\ntake if we decided to pursue a police contract.<\/p>\n
Prior to our Borough Council meeting on January 3rd, the public received word through
\nsources separate from the Borough Council that it had entered police discussions with Franklin.
\nThose sources indicated that the Borough Council was \u201ccutting\u201d or \u201celiminating\u201d the Sugarcreek
\npolice department entirely, and this message was conveyed to and quickly spread through the
\npublic. This was not accurate.<\/p>\n
As of that date, only two meetings had occurred between representatives of both
\nmunicipalities, and those meetings were only for the purpose of gauging interest in a contract
\nagreement. We had not discussed any expected costs, numbers, time frames, schedules or
\nanything other than Franklin\u2019s interest in further discussions. As such, we could not answer every
\nquestion the public posed to us with our limited information at the time, which, we understand,
\nleft people frustrated.<\/p>\n
We requested additional meetings with Franklin to help address some of the concerns and
\ninquiries brought before us at that meeting. We had one additional meeting with Franklin before
\nthe February 7 Borough Council meeting, wherein we addressed some of these issues. This gave
\nus some idea of how to address general concerns, but we still did not receive concrete numbers
\nfor our February meeting. At the February meeting, we were met with tempered opposition, and
\nwe resolved to finally meet the continued demands for concrete figures.<\/p>\n
As of the date of this press release, we have received concrete figures from Franklin
\nregarding contracting police services for Sugarcreek. We will reserve those figures for discussion
\nat the next Borough Council meeting, if necessary. For now, all that needs to be said is that the
\nanticipated price for the services in question is outside of our expectations, and we do not believe
\nthat a contract with Franklin for enhanced police coverage is in the interest of our citizens at this
\ntime.<\/p>\n
The City and the Borough have a longstanding cooperative relationship. Due to
\nagreements already in place, our municipal departments work together to aid and assist each
\nother. We believe these discussions have not strained our relationship, but, instead, have
\nmutually shown that both of our police departments have the ability to benefit each other through
\nthe sharing of experience and resources. This cooperation is an internal matter, delegated by law
\nto our respective police departments, and does not require the Borough Council\u2019s further
\nparticipation. As such, we believe now is a prudent time to leave the matter of these discussions
\nbehind.<\/p>\n
We want to thank the City of Franklin for engaging in this discussion with us. We want to
\nthank the citizens of the Borough for expressing your concerns and your frustrations. More so,
\nwe wish to applaud your unyielding support for your police department. We would especially
\nlike to thank the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department for continuing to provide stellar
\nservices to our community, even in the midst of this tumult and uncertainty. Our officers have
\nshown excellence in the performance of their duties, and their presence and commitment is truly
\na blessing to our local community.<\/p>\n
Mayor Matthew Carlson
\nCouncil President James Speth
\nHoward Barger
\nLarry Baughman
\nBogan Goughler
\nAlan Heller<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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