Braddock plans to join Eastern Mon Valley Regional Police Department

BRADDOCK, Pa. (KDKA) – Braddock Borough leaders are appealing to the public about their hopes of having their police force join the Eastern Mon Valley Regional Police Department.

Council members have yet to vote on whether to join the joint service. In the meantime, residents have mixed opinions, but the borough manager appears to be leaning toward a merger.

A community meeting was held Wednesday evening for people to discuss the potential merger.

Mon Valley Eastern Regional Police Department is comprised of neighboring agencies in North Braddock, Rankin and East Pittsburgh, and recently started patrolling in April.

Previously, Braddock council members voted not to be part of the department, but that could change.

“We believe what the commission is proposing will provide comprehensive coverage where we don’t have it now,” said Borough Manager Louis Ransom, Jr. “We hope that in the future it will be done this way so that we can not only save money but have a better quality of policing.”

Braddock currently has only three part-time officers, while the regionalized force currently has seven full-time officers.

Merger discussions are still ongoing and it is unclear when a vote might take place.

Residents’ feelings are mixed

As Braddock leaders launch their appeals to the public regarding possible membership in the Eastern Mon Valley Regional Police Department, public sentiment is decidedly mixed.

Teresa P. would like to feel comfortable in Braddock, but right now, she doesn’t feel like the local police are able to keep up.

“We really need safety in the community,” Teresa said. “I don’t think the media coverage is enough.”

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She said last month it took 16 hours to resolve a possible illegal parking problem.

“The police department here in Braddock was not available,” Teresa said.

Slow response times are just one reason the borough is exploring joining the new Eastern Mon Valley Regional Police Department.

The police force, which is comprised of neighboring agencies from North Braddock, Rankin and East Pittsburgh, didn’t begin patrolling until April. Braddock’s city council had previously voted not to be part of it.

Manager Louis Ransom Jr. said this time was different.

“We want to have a relationship with our police where we can count on them to be there whenever residents need them,” Ransom said.

While the city has only three part-time officers, the regional department has seven full-time officers, and yet some wonder if that would be enough.

“If you cover a larger area, will you be responsible for more calls?” Teresa asked.

However, overall, they believe that any option could be better than the current situation.

Khalaya Brooks lives in East Pittsburgh.

“They have more police officers who, you know, will be able to help them when they need it,” Brooks said.

“You have to give everything a chance, you know, to see how it works,” Teresa said.