February 22, 2024

Kennett Township Police to be Supplemented by State Police Coverage Overnight

At their February 21^st public meeting the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors voted to utilize the Pennsylvania State Police during the midnight to six AM hours to provide assistance and relief to the Kennett Township Police Department and to taxpayers.

According to a staff memo submitted by Interim Township Manager, Amy Heinrich, the current staffing of the police department does not allow the officers to safely provide 24/7 coverage to the Township citing many consecutive shifts, solo shifts, very high levels of overtime, and the Chief of Police and Detective filling many patrol shifts.

A comprehensive presentation to the community in October 2023 proposed an addition of 4 police officers to the force over multiple years. The 2024 costs of Kennett Township police are $2.4M. Costs in 2027 at those staffing levels would be $3.3M or $850 per household per year for Police services.

“While the Board of Supervisors is very proud of our Police Department and believes they provide a professional service to the community, the Board has a fiduciary responsibility to the community who have charged the Township with finding creative ways to contain costs. Partnering with the Pennsylvania State Police for 6 hours overnight may allow us to do that.” said Board of Supervisor Chair Geoffrey Gamble.

The Kennett Township Police Department will not be eliminating any existing positions. The Pennsylvania State Police Avondale Barracks will provide coverage from midnight to six in the morning which they say they have staffing to cover.

Kennett Township experiences an average of one 911 call every other night between midnight and six in the morning.

“Lt. Dan Steele, who is the State Commander for the Avondale Barracks, says they are adequately staffed to provide this coverage to Kennett Township. He has also agreed to provide detailed data to the Township each month including calls volume, type, and state police response time so the Township can monitor the success of State Police Coverage.” Heinrich said.

The State Police will begin providing coverage to Kennett Township overnight on March 1^st. Community Members are reminded that if they are experiencing an emergency, they should dial 911 and they will receive a timely and professional response.

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