Local school district weighs options on its own police force

LOWER BURRELL, Pa. — A Westmoreland County School District faces a tough decision about school security.

The question is: Should they create their own police force?

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On Tuesday night, Burrell School Board members will be tasked with determining what's best for the district in terms of policing.

The district is served by a longstanding and popular officer with the Lower Burrell Police Department, according to our news partners at TribLIVE.com.

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The district and city split the cost of his annual salary and on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., the board will decide if it should renew that contract.

Another option the district is weighing is having its own police officers instead.

TribLIVE.com reports the district could save money that way, especially if it's hiring retired police officers.

A budget will be a determining factor, along with safety. The superintendent polled 21 districts: half hired their owned officers and the other half have municipal officers.

Cox Media Group