Published: March 17, 2008 10:52 pm      

Boswell takes action to stem crime wave

BOSWELL — Borough officials are targeting crime by forming a Neighborhood Crime Watch and hiring a part-time police officer.

The two-pronged approach comes in response to rising reports of vandalism, drugs and underage drinking.

About 15 people who turned out at a recent meeting called for council to take action.

“We decided to go ahead and start a crime watch,” Mayor Matthew Ash said.

State police will help start the program, which authorities call a vital crime-fighting arm of local police. Similar crime watch groups have been started in other towns across Somerset and Cambria counties.

Council also is looking to hire a part-time officer.

Boswell has had trouble keeping officers, with three quitting in less than a year.

“We’ve gone through so many,” Councilwoman Teresa Ann Matsko lamented.

The position would entail a 25- to 35-hour work week for a police-certified candidate.