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Police chief previews festival coverage and policy updates; council discusses license-plate readers
Summary
Police Chief David Pernice told the council the department expects more coverage at the French Creek Festival and is completing a Civil Service background check; Chief Pernice also described license-plate readers as investigative tools as council discussed a proposed parking ordinance amendment.
At the June 25 meeting Police Chief David Pernice told the Borough of Union City Council that the police department expects increased coverage for the French Creek Festival and that Erie County detectives have agreed to fund overtime and supply two to three officers from the county courthouse.
"Corry stated approximately $16,000 and Warren was $18,000 - $20,000," Chief Pernice said when summarizing recent golf-scramble fundraising totals for nearby departments; he said he will check UC Country Club figures. Pernice added he is completing a background check required by Civil Service and hopes to have it finished by July 5, 2024. He also described ongoing policy updates through Lexipol and said the solicitor's review remains pending.
The report prompted discussion of a proposed amendment to the parking ordinance for Municipal Lot No. 2. Chief Pernice described the borough's license-plate readers and their capabilities: "License Plate Readers showed videos. They can search plates on the system and assist in an investigation anywhere in the country," he said, adding that the system "helps to better protect the community as well." Council asked Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips to review the lot layout with angled parking as part of the amendment process, and the council decided to await solicitor input before advancing ordinance changes.
Why it matters: Festival coverage and staffing, background-check completion, and policy updates affect day-to-day public safety and enforcement; the parking-ordinance discussion raises questions about parking design and the use of license-plate reader technology in local policing.
What comes next: Chief Pernice will continue policy updates with solicitor review and complete the Civil Service background check by the early July target date; councilors requested a streets layout review and will consider ordinance amendments at a future meeting when the solicitor is present.
