Petition to Preserve 24/7 Police Protection for the Residents of New Oxford

Petition to the Eastern Adams Regional Police Commission

We, the undersigned residents, taxpayers, business owners, and supporters of the Borough of New Oxford, respectfully petition the Eastern Adams Regional Police Commission to maintain 24 hours a day, 7 days a week police coverage for our community.

The safety and security of our residents should never be compromised. We are deeply concerned by discussions of reducing the Eastern Adams Regional Police Department to a part-time police department. We are also concerned that the department has reportedly operated with part-time coverage at times without residents being clearly informed of these changes.

Our community deserves transparency regarding any reduction in police services and an opportunity to provide meaningful input before decisions affecting public safety are made.

We are further concerned that:

The Eastern Adams Regional Police Department has experienced ongoing understaffing, placing additional strain on the officers who continue to serve our community.
Officers with the department are reportedly among the lowest-paid law enforcement officers in Adams County, making recruitment and retention increasingly difficult.
Continued low compensation and inadequate staffing threaten the department’s ability to attract and retain experienced, qualified officers.
Reducing police coverage could result in slower emergency response times, diminished proactive patrols, and a decreased sense of safety for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of local government. Investing in professional, adequately staffed, and fairly compensated law enforcement is an investment in the well-being of every resident.

Therefore, we respectfully request that the Eastern Adams Regional Police Commission:

Commit to maintaining 24-hour, 7-day-a-week police coverage for New Oxford.
Provide full transparency regarding any current or proposed changes to police staffing levels or hours of service.
Negotiate a fair contract that offers competitive wages and benefits to recruit and retain qualified officers.
Prioritize adequate staffing so officers can safely and effectively serve the community.
Hold a public meeting allowing residents to voice their concerns before any decision to reduce police services is made.
We believe New Oxford deserves a fully staffed, professional police department that provides reliable protection every hour of every day. We urge the Eastern Adams Regional Police Commission to place the safety of our community first.

By signing this petition, we call upon the Commission to preserve 24/7 police protection and demonstrate its commitment to the residents, businesses, and families who depend on the Eastern Adams Regional Police Department every day.