State Rep. Pushing To Make Communities Pay For State Police Protection
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - If you live in a municipality that depends on Pennsylvania State Police for protection, you could soon be paying for it.
A state representative has renewed a push for legislation that would force communities to pay for the services they receive.
Hempfield Township is the largest Pittsburgh suburb that depends on the state police for coverage.
It's also the suburb that could face one of the biggest challenges if forced to re-evaluate its policing options.
State Rep. Mike Sturla - a Democrat from Lancaster- wants communities like Hempfield who depend on state police, to pay for the services.
He said the money should come by reducing liquid fuels tax distributions to places like Hempfield that don't have municipal police.
Township Manager Andy Walz said creating a department would likely mean a big boost in taxes.
A recent poll done by Hempfield Township officials shows that about 90 percent of residents are satisfied with state police service and don't feel the need to have a municipal force.
State police used to give Hempfield half of the revenue collected from speeding tickets within the township. However, that changed through legislation last year.
No changes are coming just yet, but legislation is currently in the hands of the House Transportation Committee.
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