There was plenty of discussion at Wednesday's Center Township supervisors meeting about what needs to be done to make Holyoke Road safer.

Although a consultant's report on what safety improvements should be made to the road didn't arrive in time for the meeting, the road nevertheless was a central point of discussion between township officials and residents who attended in anticipation of the report's arrival.

But while Wednesday's discussion served as a preview of what dialogue might lie ahead once the report is in the hands of the township, the discussion ignored an issue that is destined to become one of increasing focus as growth in the township continues.

That issue is the need for a township police department.

Safety on Holyoke Road has been an increased topic of concern since last Aug. 24, when a 77-year-old woman was killed while trimming shrubbery in her yard. A car left the road and crossed through three yards before striking the victim.

At Wednesday's supervisors meeting, comments suggested stepped-up state police enforcement, while residents also discussed possible remedies that might be included in the consultant's report.

John Galida of 225 Holyoke Road, noting that "we've got plenty of accidents," said, "Please invite state police to my driveway."

What such comments and viewpoints ignore is that the state police don't have the manpower to become Center Township's full-time municipal police department — and neither township officials nor residents should expect them to.

When township residents and officials decide that the state police patrols that currently take place don't meet the township's needs, then it will be the township's responsibility to implement a solution of its own.

That would seem to be a township police department, a regional force, or buying local police protection from some other municipality, such as Butler Township.

Judging from the past and projected growth in Center Township, a township police department seems inevitable. The question is when township residents will be convinced that local police protection is a must and worth the financial investment that would be required.

And, Center's police concerns should revolve around more than Holyoke Road.

Anyone who has traveled Benbrook Road in the township can attest to the speeding, tailgating and other dangerous driving practices that are routine on that roadway. Irresponsible driving practices are routine despite numerous dangerous curves and the poor banking of the roadway.

Likewise, traffic on Mercer and North Duffy roads in the township would travel at safer speeds if there was a local police presence — and local police also would be a deterrent to drunk driving and other unsafe driving practices.

The same can be said for numerous other township roads, both rural and in township residential neighborhoods.

And then there is the issue of burglaries, thefts and vandalism — crimes that a local police presence can deter.

Municipalities have the responsibility to take charge of their own needs, and Wednesday's discussion suggests a need that isn't being met — and will not be met — as long as the township continues putting the local police department issue on the back burner.

Many longtime Center residents are content with the current situation and don't want the municipality to dole out money — and possibly raise taxes — to establish a police department. However, the influx of new residents who see a need for more protection and safer roads will force the current attitude to give way eventually, regardless of the cost factor.

Center officials should reflect on that time and acknowledge the inevitability of a local police department, even if the current Holyoke situation isn't enough to spark such a move.

Meanwhile, the state police continue to have much on their plate in regard to their patrols on more heavily traveled highways such as Routes 422, 8, 68, 38, 356 and 228. They deserve praise for the amount of time they still are able to devote to roads with lower volumes of traffic — like Holyoke — while carrying out their responsibilities regarding the county's major routes.