West Chester to Discuss Thornbury Police Services

The West Chester Borough Council will vote on whether or not the borough should submit a formal proposal for police services to Thornbury Township on Tuesday.

Earlier this year, Thornbury Township notified the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department that it would not renew its contract with the department beginning Jan. 1, 2013.

Thornbury then reached out to the borough in order to contract for police services.

West Chester currently has a similar contract with East Bradford Township.

At the center of the issue is who will pay for officers that go out on permanent disability.

According to borough council member Jordan Norley, officers under the current WEGO police contract have an incentive to stop working under permanent disability.

WEGO asked Thornbury to help pick up the cost of those officers on permanent disability, but Thornbury refused.

Norley said that West Chester officers do not have the same incentive to go on permanent disability, and that if the borough provided police services for Thornbury there would be some risk, but also the borough could receive an additional revenue stream.

Borough Council will discuss the proposal on Tuesday and make a formal vote on Wednesday.