While the $1.2 billion in annual state police costs are covered by all state residents, some communities are getting significantly more bang for their buck, writes Emily Previti for Keystone Crossroads.

Nearly half of Pennsylvania’s communities do not have their own police force and instead rely on state troopers for protection. Not only that, but according to a recent study from Pennsylvania Economy League, those benefitting the most, are among the wealthiest communities in the state.

Out of 20 highest scoring municipalities, eight are serviced exclusively by state police. Meanwhile, seventy percent of municipalities with the lowest scores pay for local police.

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Lower Merion is the only Montgomery County municipality ranked in the top 20, and is one of the twelve that pay for local police.

The PEL report scores each community’s fiscal situation in areas such as their tax base, median household income, and population. The report then highlights those that have their own local police versus relying entirely on state troopers for law enforcement.

“We aren’t saying we think that all 2500+ municipalities should have their own police force,” said Lynn Shedlock, spokeswoman for PEL’s central office. “But the current system is not fair, it is not equitable.”

Read more about the issue at Keystone Crossroads by clicking here.

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Top photo credit: Rod Waddington Going to the Football, Mx City via photopin (license)