A South Whitehall police officer will be assigned to Dorney Park 40 hours a week for the 2015 summer season.

Deputy Chief John Christman came up with the idea and worked with Dorney Park officials in an effort to provide quality coverage to the park while not diverting officers from neighborhood street patrols.

Christman reports Dorney Park attendance can equal or even exceed the entire township population.

"Using one consistent officer all summer long will improve general continuity between the park patrol and South Whitehall police," Christman said.

That officer will handle incidents in the park and will follow up on any necessary investigations.

He noted regular patrol officers will still be needed to respond to service calls in the park.

At the June 17 commissioners' meeting, Christman said 30 arrests were made by South Whitehall police at the park since June 1.

"This program's really worth a 'go'," Christman said.

With return of the two school resource officers to the patrol division during the summer, Christman said he has sufficient manpower to staff the Dorney position.

While serving at Dorney, the officer will wear a standard South Whitehall Police Department uniform and will be equipped with a marked patrol car.

Christman reported park management offered to provide financial support for the enhanced police service.

The amount was set at $20,000.

Commissioners granted unanimous consent to proceed with the police officer assignment at the park.

In other business, township Manager Howard Kutzler reported eight firms showed up for a site meeting at Wehr's Dam.

Five proposals were submitted by businesses interested in repair and restoration of the dam. Deadline was June 17.

Kutzler said cost estimates were between $13,500 and $50,000.

He said staff will review the proposals for presentation to commissioners at a future meeting.