Union City council hires part-time officer as chief reports 269 calls since June

Union City Borough Council voted Aug. 13 to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time police officer, and council members heard a report from Police Chief David Pernice on the department’s recent call volume.

The hire was approved by a motion from Councilor Matt Joyce, seconded by Councilor Osborn; the motion carried unanimously. Mayor Robert Wolf, speaking during the meeting, said it is important to maintain a police department in the borough and recommended hiring a part-time officer to help coverage: “they are doing the best they can with what they have,” he said.

Chief Pernice told council that between June 1 and Aug. 13 the department logged 269 calls — “averaging about 3.63 calls per day” — including pursuits, protection-from-abuse orders, warrants, domestic incidents, drug activity, homelessness responses, reported suicides, vandalism and burglary. He said some responses can occupy an entire shift depending on the nature of the call.

Pernice also reported that he and Officer Shelly attended an Alert Active Shooter Training July 24–25 hosted by Millcreek Police Department and called the training “very beneficial.” The chief said the department applied to the UC Community Foundation for four tasers and for security cameras to cover an additional section of North Main Street; the UC Community Foundation awarded both requests.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells told council that the borough budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that final cost for the part-time hire would depend on the number of hours worked. Councilors said a part-time hire would lower costs and help extend coverage.

The council approved the hire and took no further formal action on police staffing at the meeting. The council’s next regular meeting will be Aug. 27, 2024.