There's no question that police departments make up a huge chunk of a municipal budget.  That's a well-known fact and is true for Pennsburg, East Greenville and every municipality that provides the service through their own department.

                Back in the 1970's, when regional police forces were begun in Pennsylvania, they were highly touted as a cost-effective and efficient way to provide police services throughout the state.       

                In fact, the Upper Perk regional police department represented the second (the first was York regional police) department to shake hands in an attempt to become effective and efficient.  Upper Perk Police Commission members were even put on display by the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs and spoke to many different municipal government bodies that were thinking about forming a regional police department, about the benefits and the "how-to's" for gaining cooperation from municipal partners.  Most of those visited by the Upper Perk representatives formed their own regional police departments.

                The Upper Perk Police began as the East Greenville-Pennsburg Regional Police Department then morphed into the Upper Perk Police District when Red Hill borough joined in the early 1980's.

                Things worked well for more than a decade before Red Hill left the department in the 1990's, presumably because of the rising costs involved.  There may have been other reasons and, perhaps, they should have been explored further at that time; if not to save the tri-borough group at least to prevent underlying issues from reoccurring.

                Now there are whispers of a split that would bring separate departments to each borough.  Maybe that is the final solution and maybe not.

                The existing police commission may think they have a year to work things out, but they don't.  The current agreement requires a multi-month notice of the intention of one or the other to no longer be part of the department.

                That's why it's important for the members of the police commission to immediately begin discussing the issues.  Differences of opinion are good for any discussion and how those differences are resolved can lead to good government.

                Short-term solutions are needed, but even more important is a long-range plan to sustain the department.  You can't rely on tax increases alone to pay increasing expenses.  Expenses need to be planned and contained wherever necessary and additional income, through grants or other sources needs to be explored.  All parties need to be heard and given the opportunity to present and explain their position. 

                Officials need to have a solid understanding of the operation involved and the position of the department for the future.  Map out a five-year plan and stick to it.  Failure to do so will not benefit anybody.

                Three decades ago officials fought hard with each other too; not to eliminate the partnership, but to keep it together and make it run efficiently and to the benefit of those to which the service is provided and the best benefit possible of those paying the bills.  For more than a decade, they turned over a five-figure surplus each year that went into the next year's budget.

                Work towards a responsible compromise, a responsible agreement and plan for the future.

                The police department staff and taxpayers will thank you.