About 50 Evans City residents attended Monday night’s special borough council meeting to discuss the future of police protection in the town. But, considering the importance of the issue, borough leaders should hear many more residents’ opinions as to whether the current police department should be kept or whether the borough should enter into a police contract with another municipality.

Monday’s meeting focused on the possibility of contracting with either Jackson Township or Zelienople for police service.

Evans City’s contract with its police department doesn’t expire until Jan. 1, so there still is time for officials to hear from many more residents.

Also, there still is time to reach an agreement with Evans City officers that would allow current police coverage to remain unchanged.

Some excellent points were made Monday by residents who favor keeping the current department. One of the best came from Rotary president Lee Dyer, who attributed the borough’s low crime rate to department officers’ effectiveness.

Also, Scott Marshall, an Evans City firefighter, highlighted the importance of locally based police protection, recalling how an Evans City police officer two years ago rescued two people from a burning building before firefighters arrived.

Most of those at Monday’s meeting were in favor of keeping the current department, and no doubt many others in the community have the same opinion. It’s important that their voices be heard too — just like it’s important to hear the reasoning of those favoring a contract with another community.

For a borough of Evans City’s size, Monday’s resident turnout was impressive. But since the issue remains undecided, they and other residents must remain interested in what transpires in the weeks ahead.

The borough will have to live with whatever the council decides, correct or otherwise.