The Seven Fields Borough is reexamining their agreement with Evans City over the regional police department.
Following the recent resignations of a couple of officers, the joint police department was left with three full-time officers, including the chief.
Officials in the Seven Fields Borough say the original agreement has become too costly for the borough. Currently, Seven Fields funds over 60 percent of the police budget, but only receives 50 percent of services.
They also cited a declining rate of crime in the community as one of the reasons to look at a possible new model of policing.
“Annual court filings in Seven Fields—which are reflective of police activity resulting in charges filed—fell from an average of 320 between 2017 and 2019, to an average of 108 between 2020 and 2022, a decrease of more than two-thirds” according to a statement released by Seven Fields Borough Council and manager Tom Smith.
Officials say the safety of their residents is “of utmost priority and will remain so as we navigate any transformation of police services.”
“In light of differences in contract negotiations with the Evans City Wage and Policy Unit, the Borough Council and Manager continue to discuss a new model of policing for Seven Fields and its residents, workers and visitors,” according to the joint statement.
