In Mifflin Township, a small community is facing a significant challenge as its police department risks disbandment without the passage of a crucial levy this November. The Mifflin Township Police Department, already strained after two officers were shot during a May traffic stop and the continuing financial implications thereof, could see its end if additional funds are not secured to maintain operations and staff levels.
Chief David Briggs of the Mifflin Township Police laid out the stark reality, "For the longest time we had to rely fully on the sheriff's office," indicating the thin coverage provided by the department since the shooting incident, as reported by WBNS. Meanwhile, Trustee Kevin Cavener outlined the financial burden, "We don't have the money to replace the two officers who were shot, They are still getting full pay as they recover." The department's current state is grim, with just one officer patrolling at a time during the day, another in the afternoon, and a complete lack of coverage on Sundays, as detailed by NBC4i.
The proposed 5.5 mill levy is meant to alleviate these strains by boosting the budget and staffing of the department. This levy would translate to an additional $195 in taxes per year for every $100,000 of appraised home value. Such a hike is positioned as a necessity for the township's safety and security, with Trustee Chair Kevin Cavener asserting, "They let the people see them, and the criminals see them, and they’ll stay away. If the police department is gone, the criminals will know that and they will come back," in a sentiment echoed by ABC6.
Adding a glimmer of hope, one of the officers wounded in the May altercation has since returned to full-time duty, while the other remains on light duty. This return to service signals a slow but valued recovery for the department's personnel, although the department's future hinges on the levy's passage. The community waits, with a kind of tense anticipation, poised to decide the fate of their local police force come November’s ballot.
