Elizabeth Borough looks to disband police department

By Staff and Wire reports
Elizabeth Borough council voted this week to move ahead with a proposal to disband its police department.
The borough currently has one full-time police officer — Chief William Sombo — and a rotating list of 12 to 15 part-time officers.
Council on Tuesday passed a measure to provide a three-month notice of “intent to eliminate the police department,” Mayor Barry Boucher told WTAE. Officials will send that notice to the Teamsters Local Union No. 205.
Officials also approved a joint municipal agreement for law enforcement services between the Borough of Elizabeth and Elizabeth Township, pending final negotiations and solicitors’ approval. The deal, Boucher said, would allow subcontracted Elizabeth Township police officers to cover Elizabeth Borough.
“It’s not regional policing,” he told WTAE. “It’s subcontracted out, and no one in my police department is guaranteed a job after this.”
Council’s decision came on the heels of a standing-room-only meeting in August where borough residents weighed in on the proposed plans.
In August, Elizabeth Borough council opened the floor to members of the community to get their input on police protection to be in the borough.
There were two options on the table: Expand the department or disband it altogether and receive coverage from another community, most likely the Elizabeth Township Police Department.
The borough currently operates with a full-time department run by Chief William Sombo.
It has no full-time officers, but employs roughly 13 part-time officers and costs about $350,000 per year.

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