Police departments in Butler County face challenges in recruitment, retention and funding
Following a recent shortfall in Harrisville’s 2023 budget, Mayor Gary Hughes said their longtime police department hung in the balance.
Over the last three months, borough council considered solving the shortfall by simply eliminating the department, according to Hughes, but on Monday, May 15, a tentative 2023 budget was unanimously approved with the police department’s funding included. A final vote on the budget is expected to take place Monday, June 19.
The Harrisville Borough Police Department has been a part of the community since at least the 1960s, Hughes said.
“And back in those days, we had one police officer,” Hughes said. “He used his own car, and he had a bubble-light that he’d either put on the dash or on the roof.”
Since then, the department has grown to three officers, outfitted with standard equipment and headquartered at 215 South Main St.
In his 10 years as mayor, Hughes said he has repeatedly reminded the township of the department’s importance.
