McKeesport lawmakers bill would fund more police by upping fines By Patrick Cloonan Staff Reporter Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, 4:06 a.m. Updated 2 hours ago 1 0 0 Google + Reddit Blogger State Sen. James Brewster said Tuesday he plans to reintroduce legislation next year that could help municipalities hire part-time police officers at up to $15 an hour by adding $10 to the fines imposed for traffic violations. “I find it to be a source of revenue that would complement what most communities are trying to do to pay for their police service,” Brewster, a Democrat from McKeesport, said. Brewsters bill languished in the Senate Transportation Committee, where it was referred with six co-sponsors, since May 6, 2013. It would have established a state Municipal Police Recruitment and Retention Program with grants of up to $5,000 that would serve all municipalities except the states two biggest cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. That money would help municipalities hire part-time officers who would get up to 85 percent of the salary for a full-time officer, up to $15 an hour. “Communities pay different amounts for their police officers, some $8, $9, $11, $12 an hour,” Brewster said. “What I found out last year was there was only one that was paying more than $15 an hour.” Brewster briefly talked about the bill in remarks Monday during the dedication of the Officer Frank Miller Jr. Memorial Ramp from the Duquesne-McKeesport Bridge to Lysle Boulevard. Miller was a part-time officer when he was killed in a confrontation with a homeless person in November 1993. “He was making $7 an hour at the time,” said Brewster, who was city council president at the time. “Even 20 years ago, that was not a lot of money for part-time police work.” He said beneficiaries of the program could have included Clairton Officer James Kuzak, a part-timer when he was shot multiple times and incapacitated while responding to a home invasion call April 4, 2011. When the bill is reintroduced, Brewster is hoping for one or two public hearings, including one in the Pittsburgh area. “I asked Officer Kuzak if he would be willing to testify, and he agreed,” Brewster said. The senator hopes other elected and law enforcement officials will testify as well. As a means of funding the program, the bill would provide for a $10 “law enforcement enhancement surcharge” that would be added to the fines imposed for traffic violations, but not fines for parking offenses. “Comply with the law,” Brewster suggested. “If you dont then you will be assessed in accord with the law.” The Senates last pre-election session was Thursday. The Senate and House plan lame-duck sessions beginning Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. but neither is likely to deal with new legislation. The bills other co-sponsors are Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Jr. of Forest Hills and Democratic Sens. LeAnna M. Washington of Philadelphia, Jim Ferlo of Lawrenceville, Wayne Fontana of Brookline and Tim Solobay of Canonsburg.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:54:35 +0000
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