Jenkintown Police Department facing possible closure as borough looks for budget changes

JENKINTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Residents of Jenkintown in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, are discussing a big issue amid the possible closure of their police department.

Operating the police department currently costs about $2.5 million, according to Jenkintown Police Chief Tom Scott. That's half of the small borough's budget, which pays for the 11 full-time members of the police force. Scott said they also employ one part-time officer.

Jenkintown officials say, couple that with the higher taxes putting a burden on residents, and it leads to an unavoidable conclusion: something needs to change.

"The borough has suffered, as a result of some businesses leaving. They've also had to deal with some tax settlements they've had to pay out," Chief Scott said.

Scott said the borough is also dealing with a sewer system issue, plus it's trying to find funding for EMS, the fire department and the public works department.

"We have to look at this as a bigger picture. It's not just about the police department. It's about all of the services we provide to the citizens," he said.

Scott, who became chief in 2022, was asked to look at the cost of running the department to determine how to best provide services in the borough.

He said now is the time to "prepare for the future - looking at the current situation, looking at what the projections will be, and how much it will cost."

The main idea being considered is dissolving the police department and contracting neighboring townships for policing coverage. Officials say disbanding the department, and working with another, could save the borough more than $400,000.

Borough officials told Action News if another department was to take over policing, there wouldn't be any delay in service.

"The biggest concern we heard is that if we were to do away, to dissolve our police service and go and contract with another police service, that we wouldn't have any police policing. But, it's the complete opposite of that," Jay Conners, the president of the Jenkintown Borough Council, said.

"If we were to contract out another police department, those police would be in our community all the time. They would be circling," he added. "If there ever was an instance where someone called 911 and needed police, they would be there in a timely fashion."

Chief Scott added, "We're lucky. We have two municipalities that surround us. Abington on three sides. Cheltenham is one of our borders. They are very good police departments. Could they be the possibility? Yes, they could be the possibility."

The Jenkintown Police Benevolent Association has opposed the plan to disband.

The association published a statement that reads in part, "While we are aware of the borough's fiduciary responsibilities, we believe that a plan which involves disbanding a police department that has served the community for 134 years is shortsighted."

The association goes on to say, "We love the community and its citizens, and hope for the opportunity to continue to faithfully serve. We encourage anyone who has concerns about the proposal to disband the police department to reach out to your elected representative and to attend meetings to make your voice heard."

In 2020, a public management consultant wrote a 75-page report about the department, analyzing expenses and changes needed going forward.

The report outlined 90 recommendations for Jenkintown Borough Police, and it called for borough officials to take a good look at the cost of running the department.

It stated, "The police budget has been growing at a greater rate than the general fund budget."

Since then, the force has gone from 14 full-time officers to 11 full-time officers.

Jenkintown Police officers service about 4,700 residents in a borough that is 0.6 square miles.

Residents, like Thomas Connolly, say they don't want to see the department disbanded.

"I'm shocked at what's going on with Jenkintown Police," Connolly said. "You walk down the street, these guys honk and wave to you. They say hello to you. They're invested in the borough of Jenkintown."

Dan Katz, who owns several restaurants in Jenkintown, said he wants the Jenkintown police officers to stick around.

"My employees know them. They know my employees. They are the face of the borough."

Borough officials said no decision has been made and no formal discussions with either Abington or Cheltenham Police have taken place.

Right now, officials are asking for community input.

The next community meeting on this is set for Monday, at 7 p.m. in the Jenkintown High School auditorium.