Police department seeking public’s approval of levy

SEBRING, Ohio (WKBN) – Voters in Sebring will decide the fate of the village police department with a levy on the ballot that will help fund the force.

With a population of roughly 4,200 citizens, Sebring isn’t the biggest town you’ll come across and if you ask members of the village’s police department, they’ll tell you that’s one of the best parts.

“We have a really good working relationship with our community. That helps with not only solving but also preventing and deterring,” said Sebring Detective Andrew Reed.

But the flip side can be finding funding, specifically for things like emergency services. Just last month, city leaders began looking for ways to find extra cash to help staff its dispatch center, servicing not only Sebring but also Smith Township PD, Homeworth Fire and EMS and North Georgetown EMS.

“There may be a time when if we only have one officer on, and Smith Township has one officer on, we are each other’s lifeline,” said Sebring Patrolman Sean Brindack.

A $2 million police levy is on the ballot this fall and while it’s not the magic bullet, officials say it would help, generating about $140,000 per year and costing a $100,000 homeowner about 70 bucks a year.

Part of that money would go towards retaining staff in both the dispatch center and the police department.

“Five dollars a month to maintain and staff an effective police department is worth it. I think it pays for itself for the safety and security of the town,” said Brindack.

Sebring says their starting salary is anywhere from $4 to $10 less than other area departments and there are no wage increases based on seniority. Typically smaller departments are used as a stepping stone for officers to get to bigger cities and better-paying jobs but of the eight full-time officers in Sebring’s department, seven of them have more than five years of experience on the force.

“Sebring just has something that makes you want to stay,” Brindack said.

It’s that type of familiarity with the community that allows them to connect with the village and something they don’t want to think about if the levy fails.

“I grew up in this community. I’ve left higher-paying jobs to keep this job and stay here. It’s where the heart is but it will put us in a tough position. We’ll say that,” Detective Reed said.

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