(8/21) Liberty Township Police Chief Sherri Hansen appeared before the Hamiltonban supervisors to offer providing the township with additional police coverage, but the board took no action on the offer.

Chief Hansen had sent a July 30 letter to the township prior to the meeting in which she stated, “I would be grateful to have the opportunity to meet with you on how Liberty Township Police could offer the residents of Hamiltonban Township the same quality of police services that our residents enjoy.”

Hansen further stated that since she assumed the position of chief in Liberty Township in May 2019, the police department has re-emphasized itself as one committed to community policing. “Such commitments go beyond becoming more visible and engaged with our community but attending to other needs not traditionally associated with law enforcement.”

As an example of police activities that have been expanded under her tenure as chief, Hansen said the force has become involved in the Elder Care program, “which not only checks on our older resident's welfare, but has also helped to coordinate other county services and care.”

Regarding increased law enforcement that has taken place on her watch, Hansen wrote, “Our traffic enforcement has increased by 600 percent,” and the department has been implementing a strong emphasis on DUI enforcement, and actively participates in the Adams County DUI patrols.

The chief further stated at the board meeting that State Police have apparently been considering charging for their services. “Even if you would not be interested now, (that might change) if State Police start charging.” Whether or not the state decides to go that route, she said the state force “is closer to now (to begin charging) than it has ever been.”

While the supervisors decided not to act on the proposal, but instead indicated they would consider the offer further if and when necessity might warrant it ... “over the next couple of months.”

State police have been provide Hamiltonban with policing so since the township disbanded their own municipal Police Department in November 2012, shortly after the department had become unionized, but Commissioner Robert Gordon, board chairman at the time, stated that the unionization issue was not related to the board’s decision to end the township police department, and that it was strictly a budget issue.