A significant number of Slippery Rock Borough residents aren't convinced that the borough's police protection is what it should be for that university town. Police staffing was an issue during this month's mayoral election.

For those interested in the issue, tomorrow's borough council meeting at 7 p.m. at the borough building should provide additional insight.

Mayor Ken Harris, who won re-election on Nov. 3, has said that he and borough Police Chief Terry Brown have been working on an analysis of how much "real" 24-hour, seven-days-a-week police protection would cost and what it would take.

Earlier this month, Harris said he intended to discuss data from the analysis at tomorrow's meeting.

An issue such as this merits a healthy turnout by the people who depend on that protection.

There is a feeling by some residents that the borough is getting the short end of the stick in its police-protection agreement with Slippery Rock Township, which does not have its own police department and depends primarily on the state police.

Resident Chuck Brochetti has told the council, "How long citizens will tolerate a lack of 24/7 police coverage only time will tell, and that may come when serious incidents happen. But then, it will be too late."

Brochetti also told the council that "our mayor and council members swore to uphold the borough code to provide for the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. I cannot see any more cogent issue than this to satisfy that oath."

For most municipalities most of the time, police matters involve merely a routine report at municipal meetings. But for the Slippery Rock area, the police-protection issue now has taken a step beyond the routine, and residents should pay attention to what transpires in the weeks ahead.

Not only should they be interested in manpower and staffing, but also costs associated with the department.

As a university town, Slippery Rock has police challenges more formidable than what most other boroughs in the county face on a daily basis — even though Slippery Rock University does not have a high crime rate.

When a significant segment of the population becomes concerned about the way things are being done, it's time for a re-evaluation.

In the coming weeks, the borough council must ensure that the best plan and procedures are in place to meet the community's needs.