SLIPPERY ROCK — By beefing up its staff, the borough's police force has been able to increase patrolling and the issuing of citations, borough officials said.

“It's nice for me because I get to hear all these great compliments about how our police department is doing,” said Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo.

Longo applauded the department at Tuesday's borough council meeting for its efforts.

“Their work is not just reflecting well upon themselves, but also on me and borough council and the borough itself,” he said.

The starkest difference between 2018 and 2019's statistics was reflected in miles patrolled. In 2018, officers traveled 23,009 miles, and in 2019 they patrolled 30,906 miles. That's a 34.3 percent increase.

Another large jump came in traffic and parking citations. In 2018, officers issued 358 citations, and in 2019 they issued 720, an increase of 101.1 percent.

“That's 7,000 more miles of officers driving around,” said Police Chief Terry Fedokovitz.

Fedokovitz said the key to the latest boost in numbers is a return to a better- staffed department after two positions were in flux in 2018.

At one point, the department had two full-time and one part-time officers. Now, it has four full-time officers.

Fedokovitz said the department was lucky to hire two officers who are early in their careers.

“I think compared to other departments, by hiring younger guys to our department, it adds some stability to our department,” he said. “These guys are here and they're locked in.”

Longo said he has also noticed that not only is the department better staffed, its members also work well together.

“I'm glad we have a PD now that (has a) strong staff and a cohesive unit,” Longo said. “They're all go-getters and enthusiastic about their job, about serving Slippery Rock.”

Longo said the department is at a healthy level, but he would welcome adding more officers to the force. He said for now, they can cover the borough's needs and achieve beyond expectation.

“We have all the tools and resources and manpower to cover the needs of the borough,” Longo said.

Criminal incidents: 147 in 2018; 175 in 2019Nontraffic arrests and citations: 97 in 2018; 51 in 2019Traffic crashes: 43 in 2018; 53 in 2019Traffic and parking citations: 358 in 2018; 720 in 2019Parking tickets: 223 in 2018; 323 in 2019Outside assists: 12 in 2018; 23 in 2019District judge hearings: 240 in 2018; 211 in 2019Trials and appeals: 7 in 2018; 5 in 2019Miles patrolled: 23,009 in 2018; 30,906 in 2019