The Sunday News lead article “Many ‘suspects’ in cop switch; A look at how city lost out in bid to police Lancaster Township and how Manheim Township won. Or did it?” is otherwise comprehensive, apart from leaving out the most important concern voiced at last week’s Lancaster Township Supervisors meeting: Given the distance, can Manheim Township police project sufficient police force when police are most needed?
Manhiem Township is going to be called upon to provide police across town, sometimes passing through the City in order to reach historically troubled portions of the Township to the south.
Given an emergency in the South or East portions of the Township, Manheim Township will not be able to immediately respond with more than two or three police officers. The City could have a half a dozen, and more if necessary, within minutes!
Meanwhile, discussion among knowledgeable observers from the business world is that Manheim Township may well be underestimating the cost of providing police service. The Sunday News reports “One Manheim Township official who spoke off the record as saying ‘It won’t be a bad deal for taxpayers.’” Why would Manheim Township want to take on responsibilities that will bring no profit for its taxpayers while running considerable risks?
Can we imagine any business contracting for five years at 60% of its competitors? Manheim Township bid $1.1 million. Southern Region bid $1.35 just to police the western portion of Lancaster Township. The City bid $1.7. It isn’t as though police protection can be purchased from China!
The population of Lancaster Township is changing, with inner city residents—in large part from the Latino community—moving to the suburbs, a natural and welcome evolution. However, recent immigrants bring with them a higher crime rate. There is growing need for police services, especially to the south west of the Township. Furthermore, Lancaster police patrols are in a better position to police the close in borders to the City.
We cannot see how this bargain basement deal makes any sense for the citizenry of Manheim Township. If Mayor Rick Gray’s indeed used “hardball tactics” in negotiating the contract, at least Gray knows what constituency he is representing.
So long as there is no serious crime, Lancaster Township residents can smugly enjoy their savings. But if there is a need for police back up….look out!
Whoever sent the letter under the above headline to NewLanc.com really doesn’t get it. When there are major incidents in the city of Lancaster now, many local departments repsond quickly with backup officers. The same will be true, if ever necessary, with this new, more well managed policing of Lancaster Township by the Manheim Township police. The chief in MT is one of the real pros in the business. This is a win for Lancaster Township residents. If there is any loss to the city or blame to be assigned, then let’s direct it where it’s due – to Mayor Gray for threatening and providing an ultimatum to LT. Let us applaud the supervisors of Lancaster Township for not caving to his threats.
As a Lancaster City homeowner, I applaud Mayor Gray for defending Lancaster City’s taxpayers. The numbers clearly show that the people of Lancaster City have been subsidizing Lancaster Township’s police coverage for far too many years. Without the additional burden of incidents from Lancaster Township, all Lancaster City police resources – including detectives and administrative staff – will now be able to concentrate on reducing crime within the City limits.
Let’s see how Manheim Township taxpayers feel about subsidizing police services in Lancaster Township a few years from now.