New Hope Votes To Join County's Co-Responder Program

NEW HOPE BOROUGH, PA — The New Hope Borough Council on Tuesday voted to join Bucks County’s Human Services Department Co-Responder Program.

The program pairs police departments with trained social service professionals who respond

The program pairs police departments with trained social service professionals who respond alongside officers to provide immediate assistance for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, substance abuse, homelessness, and other social needs.

Under a memorandum of understanding with the county, New Hope Borough will share a co-responder with the neighboring Buckingham and Solebury township police departments.

During the first two years of the program, the county will pay the salary of the co-responder with no obligation to continue the program. After two years, the participating municipalities would be asked to share the cost, which would equate to about $34,000 per municipality.

The financials “make this thing, in my opinion, a no-brainer,” said Council President Ken Maisel. “The first two years are completely free to New Hope without any obligation to continue.”

Council Vice President Michele Becci agreed, adding that it gives the borough two years to evaluate the program and to determine how much the department is using the service.

“It’s going to be a great service that we will be able to provide to the residents of the borough to make sure that everyone is getting the services that are out there and available that we, as the police, may not know about, but the co-responders do,” said Police Chief Kevin Edwards. “It’s going to be a great benefit to the borough, the residents, and the police department.”

According to Edwards, police would have the option of calling in the co-responder to the scene, or they could refer a case for follow-up.

“A lot of times, we will respond to a mental health call. We get the people through the night so they’re good. This is where the coresponder would come in,” said Chief Edwards. “They would go back to the house for a follow-up to make sure the people are getting the right services.

Since 2021, the county’s co-responder program has been implemented successfully in municipalities throughout the county. The New Hope, Solebury, and Buckingham program would be one of the last to be implemented.

“Most towns and townships have a co-responder,” said Chief Edwards. “And they have had great success.”

Pridefest Approved

In other business at Tuesday's council meeting, the council approved a special events application for this year’s Pridefest, taking place on Saturday, May 16.

Organized by New Hope Celebrates, the event is highlighted by a flag unfurling, a Pride Parade in Lambertville and New Hope, a vendor fair, New Hope Live, and a dance party.

The council said it will be looking into the possibility of opening up the restrooms at the New Hope Visitors Center on South Main Street for the event.

New Hope Celebrates said it will also be expanding the number of portable restrooms in the stage area at the American Legion.

Landscaping Bid Awarded

In other action, the council awarded bids for the 2026 landscaping program to Gorecon, Inc. for $21,600.

The Chalfont-based company will be responsible for maintaining the landscaping at Ferry Landing Park, the New Hope Visitors Center, Lenape Park, and the North Main Street Park.

Council Applies For Grant To Upgrade Traffic Signal

The council also voted to submit a Green Light Go grant to the state to fund equipment upgrades and improvements to the traffic signal at Bridge and Main.

The upgrade would include new lights, new arms, the addition of flashing yellow arrows, new pedestrian countdown signal heads, modifications to signal timing, and new ADA-compliant pedestrian crossings.

The project is projected to cost $369,000 with a 20 percent match, or $73,800, required from the borough.