by KYW's Tony Romeo

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering yet another proposal to have local municipalities without their own police departments defray the cost of state police protection. This legislation would target larger communities.

The latest proposal would have municipalities with populations over 10,000 that have no local police department pay $100 per person for state police coverage.

About 21 townships would be affected, including West Bradford in Chester County. Township Manager Jack Hines says he has spoken to other communities that would be affected:

“They have agreed that there is not an objection to paying into the Commonwealth for police services. However, that payment must come from all communities who do not have a full-service, full-time police department.”

Hines testified before the state House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Reading Democrat Thomas Caltagirone:

“We’re setting the stage for the next session.”

By that, Caltagirone believes pressure is building for action on an issue that’s been around for years, but admits that action is not likely in the current session.