Plan Would Merge Rockview, Philipsburg State Police Barracks in New Facility

It looks like there is truth to a rumor concerning the closing of a local Pennsylvania state police barracks.

The office of state Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Rush Township), received correspondence from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office the week of March 20 reporting the state government’s intent to close the Philipsburg barracks and consolidate it with Rockview-based state police at a new facility to be constructed in Benner Township.

“The governor is proposing to consolidate barracks around the state so there is one barracks for each county,” said Tor Michaels, Conklin’s chief of staff. “It’s a cost-saving measure that we just aren’t comfortable with at all. In fact, we’re furious.”

Rumors of closing the Philipsburg barracks, which are along the Port Matilda Highway, began swirling more than a decade ago. Earlier this year, Wolf released information concerning barracks consolidation, as well as a possible measure taxing citizens of communities without local police departments $25 to be covered by state policing agencies. During a visit to State College in February, Wolf said there were no plans to remove or consolidate state police barracks in Centre County.

“Well, now his tone has shifted,” Michaels said, “and, it’s totally unacceptable.”

According to Michaels, consolidating the barracks would base police more than 30 minutes away from the Philipsburg community.

“The governor has to realize that in areas like this, that we are in, response time is the all- important factor,” said Michaels. “Things shouldn’t be based on geography, especially in our case here. The response time for an officer to get from Bellefonte to Philipsburg, in case of an emergency, is just not acceptable. And, we have to consider that we have a state prison right in neighboring Houtzdale.

‘It’s important we have police available and ones that can be here when we need them. Not 30 or 40 minutes away.”

Michael said an effort has been undertaken by concerned residents of the community to shed more light on the issue. A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at the Rush Township Municipal Building.

“I encourage everyone to get out to this meeting and make your voice heard,” said Michaels. “It’s going to take everyone in the Moshannon Valley to get out and act as one voice in this issue. We cannot play games with the safety of the residents of the Moshannon Valley.”

During the March 21 meeting of the Centre County Board of Commissioners, Michael Pipe, chairman commissioner, said the state has to make tough decisions regarding state police spending. However, he noted the county would continue to monitor the situation and provide any input the board deems necessary.

“You just can’t close a barracks without describing what happens next,” said Commissioner Steve Dershem. “You have to know what the process is for coverage in the area.

‘Without the Pennsylvania State Police in the Moshannon Valley, there really is no police coverage. There needs to be some discussion on this. The citizens of Philipsburg and the Moshannon Valley deserve to be safe.”