Pennsylvania State Police are responding to assist the community of Collingdale in Delaware County.
Police there are facing what troopers call “an extreme staffing shortage.”
Collingdale resident Gina Moultrie remembers the time she became dehydrated and had to call 911.
‘They came out with the ambulance crew. The paramedics got here before the police,” Moultrie said.
She worries that the shortage of police staff could mean response times could be even longer if she ever has another emergency.
Collingdale Mayor Donna Matteo-Spadea says the Collingdale Police Department has a maximum of 14 officers, but right now there are only nine, with one leaving by the end of the week. The department is stretched thin.
“People do get sick. Our officers haven’t been able to take a day off unless someone is taking care of them. And then it’s a problem with the municipality because we’re going over our budget,” Matteo-Spadea said.
That’s why the mayor has asked Pennsylvania State Police to conduct patrols every day from midnight to 8 a.m. every day starting Thursday indefinitely.
“This was a very difficult decision, but we had to make it for the safety of our community,” Matteo-Spadea said.
Delaware County FOP Chairman Chris Eiserman said it is an unprecedented decision.
“State police, we work well with them, but they are not a substitute for local law enforcement. Their response times for normal patrol zones can be 30 to 40 minutes. So residents could be in danger,” Eiserman said.
He says this could include residents like Moultrie.
‘That is very worrying. And my feeling about that is we need all the help we can get,” Moultrie said.
In a statement, Pennsylvania State Police said they will continue to work with the city to provide the necessary coverage until the Collingdale Police Department returns to full strength. It is a process that could take months, according to the mayor.
Madeleine Wright
