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Union City council hires part‑time police officer to boost coverage
Summary
The Borough of Union City voted unanimously Aug. 13 to hire Kenneth Fye as a part‑time police officer from the certified civil service list, citing cost savings and increased coverage; the police chief reported 269 calls between June 1 and Aug. 13 and said foundation grants awarded funds for tasers and cameras.
The Borough of Union City Council voted unanimously Aug. 13 to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part‑time police officer, a move councilors said would increase coverage while reducing personnel costs.
Councilor Matt Joyce moved to hire Fye and Councilor Osborn seconded; the motion passed unanimously with six councilors present. Mayor Robert Wolf had urged maintaining a police department and recommended hiring additional staff to sustain coverage.
Police Chief David Pernice reviewed recent activity, saying the department handled 269 calls between June 1 and Aug. 13, an average of about 3.63 calls per day. Pernice told the council that calls varied in severity, including vehicle pursuits, protection‑from‑abuse matters, warrants, domestics, drug activity, incidents of vandalism and burglary, and responses tied to suicide and mental‑health crises. He said he and Officer Shelly attended Alert Active Shooter training July 24–25 hosted by Millcreek Police Department.
Borough Manager Cindy Wells told the council the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that hiring a part‑time officer would reduce the overall cost compared with a full‑time hire. Councilor Riley Cross and Councilor Matt Joyce both said part‑time staffing would provide broader coverage for shifts.
Chief Pernice also said he applied to the Union City Community Foundation for funding for four tasers and for security cameras to extend coverage on North Main Street; the UCCF awarded both requests.
The council did not record a commencement date in the meeting minutes. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; an executive session to discuss personnel and a contract followed with no action recorded in the minutes.
