Editorial: Policing the Ford

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on August 9, 2012

While there is no immediate need for change, the question is worthy of discussion: Are Chadds Ford residents satisfied with the level of police protection provided by the state police, or should the township explore other options, such as an inter-municipal police department?

As residents were told almost 10 years ago in the aftermath of the Warner murders, Chadds Ford is a safe township. There is no major crime wave in the township or immediate region, but there have been more burglaries reported during the last few years. The township itself became a victim last year when someone stole copper downspouts and gutters valued at $1,925 off of Turner’s Mill — the township building at 10 Ring Road. That prompted the township to install LED security lights that the township manager said would be on all night.

Are such incidents merely coincidental, a sign of the current downturn in the economy or are they a sign of the future?

Then there was the recent press conference regarding new anti-gang legislation that was previously reported. Again, there is no evidence of gang activity in the immediate area, but the potential still exists.

The topic of a local police force came up in conversation several years ago with at least one long-time resident saying she would move away if Chadds Ford wound up with its own force.

General consensus at the time, including township supervisors, said there was no need for a Chadds Ford Police Department, but that a combined force could be considered at a later date.

Birmingham Township has its own department, and nearby townships of Westtown and East Goshen have a combined force. Thornbury Township, Chester County, has wanted to tie into WEGO, but is now looking into having West Chester police provide services.

Chaddsfordlive.com is not proposing a police department for the township, or even having the township get into a joint agreement with Birmingham or Concord. We do, however, want to know what people think. Should the township continue getting its police service from the state, or should it do something else? Please comment to let us know what you think.