SUGARCREEK, Pa. (EYT) – At last night’s borough meeting, a local woman voiced her concerns regarding the Sugarcreek Borough police force and the outcome of the upcoming November 2 budget meeting.

Linda Turner, a former borough council member, stated that she would not agree with any cuts made to the police department at next month’s budget meeting. Sugarcreek Borough Police Department currently has seven officers on staff.

“We need more police in this day and age because everybody else is cutting their [police forces] too. Who’s going to help us?” Turner said. “If we reduce our force, then who is going to protect us?”

She also discussed her concern about general safety and senior citizen safety in the borough.

“We have a lot of seniors in this district. I’m one of them, and I want to feel safe that I have my police out there protecting me,” Turner commented.

Turner finished her public comment, saying she would welcome a tax increase in order to keep the borough’s police force as is.

“We don’t want to lose our police, so if it means a tax increase, let’s do it,” Turner stated.

In administration news, the borough’s autumn leaf collection starts October 20. Residents can drop off leaves at locations in Franklin Cemetery and Reno.

Those participating in the leaf collection are asked to use recyclable brown paper bags.