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Residents raise transit‑oriented development concerns about police coverage; chief says staffing tied to scheduling, not population
Summary
A resident asked whether new apartment development would strain police coverage in Narberth; the police chief said staffing levels depend on scheduling and operational decisions rather than a simple population-to-officer ratio.
At the Police Advisory Committee meeting a resident raised concerns that proposed transit‑oriented development could strain police services, citing perceptions that Narberth already has limited coverage. Committee members and the Police Chief responded by distinguishing staffing decisions from raw population counts.
A committee member said she had tried to reassure a resident who worried that adding 200 people would "put a strain on our services," and she recounted explaining that "the coverage issue isn't based on population. It's more just based on hours." The Police Chief said staffing is arranged by scheduling and the borough supplements coverage with part‑time or mutual‑aid officers when needed; the chief added only very large complexes or patterns of concentrated criminal activity would materially change policing resource needs.
Committee members noted residents bring perceptions from other towns and encouraged the committee to continue hearing questions so staff can provide informed responses at public meetings and outreach events. No formal changes to staffing or policy were proposed at the meeting.
