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Union City mayor, police chief cite heavy call volume; council approves part‑time hire
Summary
Union City officials said the borough logged 269 police calls between June 1 and Aug. 13 and that officers completed active‑shooter training; council approved hiring Kenneth Fye as a part‑time officer and accepted community foundation grants for tasers and cameras.
UNION CITY, Pa. — Borough leaders said public‑safety demands and recent incidents prompted the council on Aug. 13 to approve adding a part‑time officer and to pursue equipment purchases funded by a local community foundation.
Mayor Robert Wolf opened discussion by stressing the importance of maintaining a police department and recommending a part‑time hire. "He recommended hiring a part‑time officer," the minutes record. Councilor Riley Cross said a part‑time hire would reduce cost, and Councilor Matt Joyce said it would extend coverage.
Police Chief David Pernice reviewed the department’s July report and gave a three‑month tally: "From June 1st to August 13th we had 269 calls averaging about 3.63 calls per day," Pernice said. He told council some calls can occupy an entire shift, citing a recent domestic call that ran overnight and noting incidents involving suicide/mental‑health concerns, vandalism and burglary. Pernice also reported that he and Officer Shelly attended Alert Active Shooter training on July 24–25 hosted by Millcreek Police Department.
In equipment news, Pernice said the department applied to the Union City Community Foundation for four tasers and for security cameras covering another section of North Main Street; the foundation awarded both requests.
Council’s approval to hire the part‑time candidate (Kenneth Fye) was recorded as unanimous. Borough Manager Cindy Wells noted the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits; final cost depends on scheduled hours for the new hire.
The council adjourned at 7:06 p.m. and later met in executive session on personnel and a contract; no public action was recorded from that session.
