The Tyrone Area School District and Snyder Township have moved a step closer to resolving issues regarding police patrols in areas of the township near the district’s buildings.
A meeting that was attended by district, township, Tyrone Hospital and Tyrone Borough officials was held earlier this week regarding the question of police protection.
The district shared a written opinion from its solicitor, Cynthia Yeager, on the issues of jurisdiction if Tyrone Area District officers are used to patrol the area. Snyder Township supervisor Buddy Daughenbaugh has been working with the district and others to try to come up with a solution.
Daughenbaugh approached Tyrone Borough at a recent council meeting. The borough indicated it could not logistically provide police service during the time period requested and said it lacked manpower to fulfill the request. Daughenbaugh explained to council that the school district would pay for the services. The borough suggested Snyder Township hire a part-time police officer. It also designated a council member to represent the borough at meetings on the issue such as the one earlier this week.
Snyder Township supervisor Charles Diehl expressed disappointment with the borough’s decision.
Diehl told The Daily Herald on Thursday, “why won’t Tyrone work with Snyder or anyone else. They don’t know what intergovernmental cooperation is. They said they didn’t have enough staff, (but) they have part timers. The school was willing to reimburse (for the services).
“I can’t understand it,” said Diehl. “It’s for the benefit and safety of everyone, whether it’s Snyder or borough residents. I just can’t believe it.
“I’m for this as long as it can be worked out. I’m a firm believer in intergovernmental cooperation- the sharing of services.”
Police coverage is being sought specifically during the time of student arrival in the morning and dismissal in the afternoon. The area in question is not on school property but is in Snyder Township. The proposed area of coverage does not go into Tyrone Borough borders.
Tyrone Area Superintendent Dr. William N. Miller said, “Our attorney had shared with us that we have statutory authority, which we thought we had five or six years ago.”
He said the district has the authority whether or not the township has a police force provided it enters into an agreement with the township. Currently, Snyder Township does not have its own force, but is covered by the Pennsylvania State Police.
“The state police could still be called in if needed,” said Dr. Miller. “They still patrol all these different areas, but they’re not readily available.
“The school district does have the power to enter into an agreement with Snyder for concurrent jurisdiction,” said Miller. “By the fact that they do not have (a police force) the district would be authorized to exercise police powers within limited geographic areas.
“We’d have to have a joint concurrent agreement outlining the geographic areas,” said Miller. “That was a point of discussion (at the meeting).”
Those designated areas would need to be agreed upon by the township and the district. The proposed zone or district includes the Tyrone Hosptial area on Clay Avenue to the Oak Grove Cemetery.
“The borough will not be directly involved,” said Miller. “However, indirectly they could be. The problem of students smoking, littering or loitering could perhaps move to the territory of the borough.
“I don’t see it (going into effect) officially probably until the beginning of the next school term,” said Dr. Miller. “I don’t think we’ll have any issues but, we need to agree on the designated areas.
“We need to have ordinances passed connected with this,” he said. “For instance, no loitering, etc. Fines need to be attached to it so there is teeth for kids loitering or littering etc. in those areas.
“After we’ve agreed upon everything, we need to run this past the local magistrate and the district attorney,” said Miller. “We want to make sure this is in line so it will be upheld. We’ll be tested right away on that.”
Miller noted a Pittsburgh case regarding whether or not a district police officer had jurisdiction off campus. Miller said in that instance he understood their (the district’s) authority was not upheld because there was no agreement with the district and the municipality.
Miller noted, “that’s the key. Everyone is very content with where we are and what we propose to do. It’s in the best interest of everyone involved. It’s going to protect the kids and the people who drive back and forth to the hospital.
“It’s been an issue that’s been unresolved for years,” said Miller. “We’re very thankful to Buddy Daughenbuagh for taking the lead to get this accomplished.
“We’re not there yet,” said Miller. “ We do have the concurrence of our attorney and Snyder Township’s attorney. They both agree that this will work.”
