NORTHUMBERLAND — A year-old change in policing in Northumberland is working out well and there is no talk of regionalizing. At this time last year, police chief Clifford Kriner pushed for the continued funding of a fifth full-time officer. Borough council did not agree and provided funding for part-time officers only.
At that time, the idea of a regional police force was discussed again. A regional police force in upper Northumberland County has been a topic of conversation for years. However, Northumberland Mayor Len Zboray says the borough has no plans to pursue a regional police force.
Zboray does not feel a regional police force is in the current best interest of the borough.”We haven’t discussed that. We haven’t really thought about it too much. I know they’ve done it in other areas saying they’d save money, but they’re really not saving money. We’re just content with what we have right now.”
The borough currently employs four part-time officers and the mayor believes the force provides sufficient coverage. “We were very lucky to get three really good candidates who have done well. They’ve come to the front. I feel very comfortable with any of them on anything that comes up in the borough.”
Zboray credits chief Kriner with training excellent officers for the force. (Jennifer Wakeman)