Bill OBoyle: Regionalization 'good for one, good for all'
Jun. 8—WILKES-BARRE — The name says it all — West Side Regional Police Department.
The key word there is "regional."
Years ago, John Augustine, President/CEO of Penn's Northeast, had the guts to say that the time for a regional approach to economic development had arrived — and he was correct.
No longer should this area — this "region" — allow itself to be held back by a parochial approach to, well, anything.
We have to realize that regionalization is the way to go because this region offers it all for businesses — especially those that bring well-paying, family-sustaining jobs.
This factoid will be front and center today (Monday) when our governor comes to our region to make a major announcement of, as the news advisory states, a "historic economic development."
Heck, there might even be Democrats and Republican in attendance. Regionalization can be good for all political aspirants.
That's why Rep. Alec Ryncavage, a Republican, should be commended for working hard to regionalize the West Side police departments. With crime on the rise and dollars for police protection on the decline, a regional approach is not only prudent — it's needed.
At this point, just two communities have agreed to join the new unit — Larksville Borough and Edwardsville Borough. Ryncavage said he expects more towns will follow once the new regional department gets off the ground — which is targeted for Jan. 1, 2026.
"Starting with two is a more manageable process," Ryncavage said. "Six out of the seven surrounding communities have also expressed an interest in regionalization, but final decisions (from them) have not been made at this time."
Ryncavage then went on to say, "As you can imagine, the communities will need to have their own internal discussions — but it is safe to say that the other communities will be watching when the West Side Regional Police Department officially launches next year and will probably make their decisions in short order after that."
Those discussions should center only on the benefits of participating in the West Side Regional Police Department. No discussion should contain any hesitation because of political concerns.
"As stated, the ultimate goal is to improve public safety, enhance service and deliver cost-effective policing," Ryncavage said.
And those are the only reasons that should be considered when deciding whether or not to join this effort.
From back in the day, this appears to be "a no-brainer."
Members of the West Side Regional Police Commission offered some important comments in a Times Leader story on Sunday.
Chairman John Soprano, former Edwardsville police officer and regional director of the narcotics bureau at the Attorney General's Wilkes-Barre Office, said this:
"This commission is committed to building a police force that reflects the values and needs of both boroughs. We're focused on professionalism, community presence and accountability. While the department is beginning with Edwardsville and Larksville, once operational in January 2026, the West Side Regional Police Department will be open to neighboring communities interested in joining this shared service model."
Vice Chairman Mike Lehman, Larksville Borough Council president and full-time Edwardsville police officer, said: "We are no longer two departments competing for talent and resources. We are one team, working toward a common goal of public safety and service."
Commission Member Dave Stochla, Edwardsville Borough Council president, added: "Residents will benefit from better coverage, smarter resource deployment and a stronger police presence on our streets. It's a win for both communities."
See? No politics. No silliness. Just common sense good planning for something that will benefit a big area of our region.
Ryncavage even mentioned that this effort marks "a historic collaboration" aimed at improving public safety, enhancing service and delivering more cost-effective policing for residents of both communities.
As a wise man once said, "good for one, good for all."
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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