Boroughs try to balance police forces
Homestead's loss is Munhall's gain, at least when it comes to some police officers in the neighboring boroughs.
Of Munhall's four new full-time hires, two were part-time officers in Homestead.
Homestead Mayor Betty Esper said while she wishes all the borough's officers well when they leave for advancement, "I would have expected a little more consideration," she said of the way the moves were made.
She said she was not given the standard two weeks notice from Jason Trout and Shannon Tracy when they announced plans to leave Homestead to go to Munhall.
Their departure left Homestead a few officers short despite the recent hiring of three new part-time officers.
Ms. Esper said while the force has 11 full-time and 3 part-time officers, more are needed this time of year.
"Ideally, we would like to have three more part-timers, especially in the summer when school is out and the Waterfront is busy with tourists, and Kennywood and Sandcastle are open," she said.
While the recreational sites are located outside Homestead, lots of motorists pass through the borough on their way there.
"We're in the center of a traffic situation," Ms. Esper said.
It will take a couple of months for additional hires for Homestead, she said, as the Civil Service Commission has to put out notices, advertise and more.
In Munhall, Mayor Raymond Bodnar said he is pleased with the borough's force of 22 full-time officers, including Ms. Tracy, its first female officer.
"She's a very good officer having been with Homestead. She's one of the guys, she knows how the ballgame goes," he said.
He also said the force's youth won't be a detriment.
"We've never been this young in a long time, only one guy over age 50.
Experience comes with being on the job and getting to know Munhall.
"Our experienced guys more than make up for the others,'' he said.
Besides Ms. Tracy and Mr. Trout, the new hires are Leon Nyapas and James Williams.
Annual salaries begin about $28,000. Following their six-month probationary periods, the new hires will receive full benefits.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Thursday, June 12, 2008
By Margaret Smykl
