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Monday, March 27, 2006

Coaldale Charges Fee for "Calling Cops"

I taught in Panther Valley School District which is made up of 4 small towns. One of them is Coaldale.

Concerned about the rising cost of providing municipal services, a Schuylkill County borough has adopted an ordinance that will bill residents who routinely summon police on nuisance calls then refuse to pursue the matter.

Further, anyone convicted of breaking the law in Coaldale — in addition to any punishment meted out by the courts — will be billed by police for the arrest, testifying at court proceedings and filing paperwork.

The ordinance isn't unique, but it's highly unusual, Pennsylvania police and municipal organizations say.

Some officials say they're concerned about how it will be enforced. And some Coaldale residents question whether they already aren't paying the costs with their taxes.

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