Otto Township will once again (someday) have its own police department, thanks to a supervisors decision made last January. This was made “necessary” by the dissolution of the Otto-Eldred Joint Police Force, which had a brief and contentious lifespan and met its demise when the two communities could no longer agree on the apportionment of expenses, patrol time, etc.

So, some too-late-after-the-fact questions: Were you aware that we have not had a law enforcement official since this past January? Have you felt unsafe this past year? Has there been a recent spike in crime? Are turn signals no longer being used?

Are the more populous townships of Liberty, Wetmore, Lafayette, and Keating — along with several county boroughs — “crime-infested” due to their lack of local law enforcement? Are Bradford, Kane and Smethport “crime-free” due to their having police departments? Have the Pennsylvania State Police failed in their civic duty to respond when called upon?

Although this move is apparently a done deal, a 64-page booklet, “Guidelines for Starting and Operating a New Police Department,” (PDF available online) outlines in detail the complexities and proper procedures for forming a police force in a small community. It also answers tougher questions than those posed above.

Unfortunately, after reading said booklet, I have serious doubts that the powers-that-be have even looked at it or anything like it. Instead, they have pushed this through on a personal promise (and the complimentary prayer).

Otto Township is no more crime-ridden and lawless than any of the other “police-less” townships and boroughs in the area. And the instituted tax raise and others that are sure to follow are unnecessary burdens that will adversely affect our aging and dwindling population.

Jim Miller, Rixford