Saxonburg officials are being open-minded in regard to residents' concerns about the community's level of police protection, including giving residents ample opportunity to voice their opinions about the issue.

Presumably, officials will weigh all options and opt for one that will be both reasonable from a staffing perspective as well as responsible in terms of the community's financial means.

The police department currently has two full-time officers and one part-timer, although the borough typically employs two part-time officers. In the wake of the departure of the second part-timer in June, the borough increased the work hours of the remaining part-timer to 32 a week from the usual 20.

A candidate for the vacancy already has been interviewed, according to Mayor Brian Antoszyk.

It's understandable that more police protection - especially overnight - would be on the minds of some borough residents, considering the attack on an 86-year-old resident in June at her residence. But stepped-up police protection was on the minds of some residents even before that brutal attack.

Meanwhile, a petition calling for more police protection overnight has been presented to the borough council. It contains 50 names.

Saxonburg is a nice community, and it generally is a safe community.

Borough leaders must work to ensure that it remains that way.

Ongoing focus on the police issue in the manner and spirit of what already has taken place will work in the community's best interests over the long run.