Fire and police report: Blue Rock Fire project on schedule; police report shows higher accidents and staff turnover

Representatives from the Blue Rock Regional Fire Commission and Millersville Police provided monthly reports to borough council.

Blue Rock: Linda, the liaison to the Blue Rock Regional Fire Commission, told council the building committee toured neighboring stations and continues fundraising for a new building. The commission has a Venmo and GoFundMe account for the project and reported a recently submitted federal grant request for $20,000. Conservation-district approvals and permits are expected by year’s end, and the building committee considered examples in Lancaster Township and near King of Prussia. Blue Rock reported 77 total calls in January (43 in the township, 20 in the borough, remaining calls outside the district). Linda said many new active members have increased the need for turnout gear and radios; she said outfitting one firefighter with the latest gear costs about $5,000.

Police: The police chief reported 295 calls for service in January, including 15 criminal arrests (five adult, 10 juvenile), four Part I offenses (all cleared) and 30 Part II offenses (29 cleared, 96.6% clearance). The department issued 13 traffic violations (including two speeding tickets), wrote roughly 83 parking citations and logged 22 vehicle accidents (about 15 were reportable) — a higher number than typical for a single month. The chief noted the department is recruiting after several officers left (one to York and another who recently resigned) and will keep the civil service commission active to fill vacancies.

Council members asked about equipment costs, grant timing for the fire project and whether vehicle accident numbers related to weather or other conditions; speakers said some increase in accidents could be weather-related but no single cause was identified in the transcript.