Mantua committee and police ready to implement borough
The Mantua police patrol area may increase by .92 miles as soon as May 1.
This past winter, John Dominy, mayor of the Borough of Wenonah, reached out to the Mantua Township Committee and police department requesting a proposal for shared police services; the Wenonah Council plans to disband its services pending a council vote at the April 26 meeting. This will be the second reading as the first received unanimous approval from the council members on April 12. However, the borough hall was packed and not every resident stood behind the looming decision.
The initial proposal devised by Mantua would charge Wenonah an annual sum of $550,000, with the full-knowledge of “predictable annual increases” negotiated by the council, according to Dominy. At this point, it is unclear how much extra the Mantua Police Department will spend on community policing with this added population and coverage area.
“We want to reduce burden on the taxpayers,” Dominy said.
Wenonah, a borough of 2,278, according to the 2010 census, has an annual budget of approximately $2.6 million, said the mayor. Each year, on average, the police force costs approximately $1 million.
In a letter issued on the Borough of Wenonah website, Dominy writes, “Our average property taxes in Wenonah are among the highest in South Jersey. Over the years of my public service to this Borough, I have learned that we, the taxpayers of New Jersey, are our own worst enemy.”
He continues to explain that while the blame gets tossed around to the county, school and borough in a cycle, the Wenonah Council is making an effort to “make the hard decisions to reduce our tax burden.”
Since the proposal was introduced, many signs reading “Save the Wenonah Police Department” have populated the small borough. The Wenonah Police Department could not be reached for comment.
On Monday, April 16, the Mantua Committee voted to enter a shared service agreement with the borough pending Wenonah Council’s decision on April 26.
In the case of a “yes” vote from the council, Mantua’s detective bureau, two canine officers, motor vehicle crash investigation unit and more will be made available to Wenonah. Mantua will receive a yearly payment from Wenonah, as stated above.
The Mantua police station is located less than two miles from the center of the borough.
Darren White, Mantua chief of police, said, “The Mantua Police Department takes pride in its policing capabilities. If we do end up taking over policing responsibilities, we will do our best to treat all residents, both Mantua and Wenonah, equally and with respect with no difference in the quality of our services between the two. We are very community oriented and would look forward to incorporating Wenonah into this philosophy.”
White attended a recent Wenonah Council meeting to offer a brief presentation about the Mantua Police Department and what it has to offer Wenonah.
After explaining that the department will offer its full service to the borough, he stated that more than 50 percent of calls for service generally come from 2.2 percent of a town’s addresses or intersections.
He also mentioned that, by analyzing neighborhood trends and speaking regularly with residents, the department will be able to better serve the community. These studies and conversations will determine what changes the police make to patrol routes.
White mentioned a liason from the department will be assigned to the borough to attend council meetings.
Leading into the April 26 vote, Dominy feels Mantua’s department will provide “equal, if not greater” service than the current situation due to cost restrictions.
Pete Scirrotto, Mantua’s mayor, said, “I think it’s a good idea and makes sense to help corral property taxes.” He also mentioned that Mantua hopes to employ two Wenonah officers and assist with the placement of the remainder; however nothing is for certain as of now. Wenonah’s force is made up of five patrolmen and one chief.
Mantua and Wenonah currently share a joint municipal court, code enforcers and a construction office.
