Selinsgrove borough police building in need of renovation

Feb. 5—SELINSGROVE — Selinsgrove borough officials are considering major renovations to the police department building.

The borough's police department moved out of the basement of the former borough building in 2004 and into an adjacent building at 100 W. Pine St. that was donated by the Snyder County Trust Company.

The building is now in need of major repairs, including a new roof and heating system, and doesn't have adequate locker area facilities for the six full-time officers and one part-time officer. The repairs, and possible expansion, could cost about $1 million, council Vice President Bobbie Owens said during a finance committee meeting Monday.

It would take three to five years before the borough could afford to begin the repairs, if approved by council, so Owens suggested relocating the police department temporarily or permanently in the basement of the borough building at 1 N. High St., which is not being used by the public as was expected.

"I think we should look at it as an option, if it's viable," she said.

Police Chief Shanee Mitchell and Sgt. Francis Petrovich toured the basement area Monday and had many questions.

Mitchell expressed concern about escorting inmates into the building via the stairway, evidence storage and overall security.

Some modifications to the space would be necessary, Owens said, but worthwhile as an alternative.

"I'd be open to it, however I wouldn't want it to be permanent," said Petrovich.

At the council meeting later in the evening, Mayor Jeff Reed informed the panel that Mitchell has completed training and received certification for the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) that will allow the police department to be eligible for federal grants. NIBRS is a reporting system managed by the FBI which tracks data on each crime.