Macungie Borough Approves Additional Police Officer

Members of the Macungie Borough Council returned from an hour-long executive session June 6 and approved the hiring of two police officers.

Matthew Thornton will be offered a 40-hour position filling the vacancy on the police force.  Also, Drew Freed will be offered a 30-hour newly created position.  Both the offers are subject to the passing of psychological and physical exams required by the department.

However, the vote was not unanimous.

Councilwoman Jean Nagle was opposed to the hiring of the officers saying, “We need to put the brakes on – there is no increase in the population or crime.  I don’t see a need.”  “We will now have seven full-time officers,” she continued, “when we originally had four.”

Council member Chris Becker also voted "no" on the issue, saying he does not believe that council can continue to manage the budget in years to come without looking at what citizens can afford.

Also opposed to the hiring of an additional officer was Stan Landis, resident of Macungie.  He spoke during the public comment portion saying council needs to control their spending and the officer was not necessary, asking them if the officer ia "a want or a need?"

Landis came prepared with numerous statistics for council to consider and questioned if hiring the officer is something the borough can really afford.  A town of one square mile with a population of approximately 3,200 people does not need six full-time officers, he said.