Union City Council approves part-time police hire and hears report on rising call volume

The Union City Borough Council on Aug. 13 unanimously approved hiring Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time police officer, a move councilors said would expand coverage while reducing costs compared with a full-time hire.

Mayor Robert Wolf emphasized the importance of maintaining a local police department and recommended approving part-time staffing. Councilor Riley Cross and Councilor Matt Joyce said part-time coverage would cost less and add flexibility. Borough Manager Cindy Wells told the council the budget set aside at least $33,560 for wages and benefits; she said the final cost for a part-time officer would depend on the number of hours worked and would be lower than the current budgeted full-time amount.

Police Chief David Pernice reviewed department activity for July 2024 and the period from June 1 to Aug. 13, reporting 269 calls — an average of about 3.63 calls per day. Pernice said the calls included vehicle pursuits, protection-from-abuse petitions, warrants, domestic incidents, drug-related activity, vandalism, burglary and several mental-health and suicide-related responses. He noted some incidents can occupy an entire shift; he gave a recent example of a domestic call that extended from about 8:50 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Pernice also reported the department attended an active-shooter training on July 24–25 hosted by Millcreek Police Department and that the Union City Community Foundation awarded grants for four tasers and for security cameras to extend coverage of North Main Street.

The motion to hire Fye was moved by Councilor Joyce and seconded by Councilor Osborn and carried unanimously. Council did not record individual roll-call votes in the minutes beyond the notation that the motions carried unanimously.

The council adjourned at 7:06 p.m. and later held a closed session to discuss personnel and contract matters.