Residents press council on red‑light sensor, police vehicles and staffing; borough outlines recruitment steps

A resident asked the Columbia Borough Council on Feb. 24 to examine the sensor and timing at the intersection of Fourth and Walnut, saying drivers often wait a long time for the light to change.

"Please, can we do something about that red light?" the resident asked, describing a sensor that requires vehicles to stop precisely over a painted white line to trigger a change. Public works staff present explained the signal uses an in‑pavement weight detector and encouraged drivers to stop on the line so the sensor will register the vehicle.

Public comment also included questions about police vehicles and equipment. Residents asked how many patrol cars contain sensitive equipment such as in‑car computers and cameras; responses during the meeting indicated roughly four vehicles are fully equipped, though there was brief confusion in the exchange with one speaker saying three. Officials also reported current staffing levels: 11 officers on patrol (with vacancies due to injuries and retirements), one officer in the academy (week seven), and two officers in field training. The borough announced a written exam with 13 applicants scheduled for recruitment testing.

Council members said they will request that public works check the traffic‑signal sensor and will continue recruitment efforts to fill police vacancies. No formal policy changes were made at the meeting.