Borough council hears presentation by Marlborough Police.

                The Red Hill Borough Council is looking hard at the possibility of shared police coverage, but what form it might take – if it indeed occurs – is unknown.

                The council heard a presentation by Marlborough Township Police Chief Darren Morgan, Sergeant Ted Baird, and Township Supervisor Brian Doremus at their second monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 24.

                Council president Doris Decker stated prior to Chief Morgan's presentation that "no agreements had been made" regarding any local service, and that such coverage "would substantially increase taxes."

                She stressed that there would be complete transparency for any negotiations regarding the police issue, and that there would be no anonymous meetings, calls, or emails. Decker further noted that the council would "conduct a survey of residents and business owners."

                "We will probably have a special meeting," she said, that would require a special announcement.

                With that being said, Chief Morgan outlined the services his force currently provides to Marlborough and could provide to Red Hill, and what would be needed to provide contracted services to the borough.

                Chief Morgan said that he currently operates with three full-time officers and three part-time, and a part-time office clerk, but with the addition he would need to increase his team to six full-time officers and three part-time.

                He noted that the presence of the Upper Perkiomen High School in Red Hill was especially demanding. Red Hill council member Larry Morton asked if there would be a possibility of a "youth officer," and Chief Morgan said that grant funding may be available for a "resource officer."

                "We need someone to specialize with youth, "said Morton.

                Chief Morgan reported on numerous projects and equipment in his department that was funded by grants and private donations. He said that the department actively pursues grants, and with the possible addition of Red Hill it would "open up doors" for more grants.

                He said if Red Hill came aboard, an officer would be in Red Hill at all times, and especially available during the school year.

                His department is not currently completely 24/7 in Marlborough – he noted that there was sometimes a gap in coverage between 4:00 am and 6:00 am – but he was striving to achieve full coverage.

                Sergeant Ted Baird stated that the force currently has a three to five minute response time, something that the state police could not usually provide to Red Hill.

                "Our residents deserve more than that," Sergeant Baird said. He said that "community based policing" was greatly beneficial to all.

                Chief Morgan also noted that they would again be talking to Green Lane Borough about sharing services. Green Lane had to discontinue their association with Marlborough in 2013 because of the expense.

                Supervisor Doremus said that Pennsburg Mayor Vicki Lightcap would be attending the Marlborough supervisors' June meeting to outline her proposal for a regional police force with the Upper Perk police department.