It’s easy to say “slow down,” but many drivers will continue to accelerate if there aren’t repercussions for their actions.

Until this past summer, there was rarely a punishment to speeding in Summit Township. While state police have always provided coverage to Summit Township, it’s not coverage on an exclusive basis. Thus, state officers are often spread too thin to respond to one of the township’s main problems: speeding.

Residents of the area know drivers treated the stretch of Bonniebrook Road between 422 and Herman Road as an extension of the highway — hitting speeds upwards of 55 on the road featuring family homes.

Further, caution is key when approaching the four-way intersection of Bonniebrook and Herman Road, as some cars would coast on through the intersection.

Heavier police presence won’t entirely eliminate these issues for Summit Township, but it will make drivers think twice about speeding in the area — especially when the police present are from Saxonburg Police Department.

For years, anyone learning to drive in that portion of Butler County was likely aware that you will get pulled over if you speed in Saxonburg.

At four months into the six-month agreement with Saxonburg Police Department, the only complaint that Summit Township supervisor Richard Green had to report was that some residents expressed a desire to have an even more significant police presence in Summit Township.

“In our opinion, it has worked very, very well,” said Green, who acts as liaison between Summit Township and Saxonburg.

When crashes happen, the agreement also accelerates response-time, Green explained. Officers from the Saxonburg Police Department have arrived at accidents “within five minutes,” according to Green.

Of course this service isn’t free. The hourly wages vary from $24.78 to $46.27 for standard time and $36.05 to $56.21 for overtime. Summit Township pays for the hours officers spend in the township and also provide mileage reimbursement.

Summit Township is currently four months into a six-month contract with Saxonburg Police.

So long as the costs remain realistic for Summit Township, the service appears to be appreciated.

While taking care to ensure the best financial future for Summit Township, we’re hopeful township supervisors will continue this service for Summit Township residents.

— TAL