A number of residents attended Bath Borough Council’s meeting Feb. 6 to discuss a recent firearm discharge in the borough and public safety.

Reportedly, two cars were damaged around 2 a.m. Feb. 3 in the borough. No people were injured, but a Bath resident reported shots entered his home. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incident.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call 610-861-2026.

Residents asked council about reassembling the borough police department that was disbanded in the 1990s.

Borough Manager Brad Flynn said residents arrived at meeting jumping to conclusions about the incident and offering ways to reconstitute a borough police force without examining crime statistics.

“We need folks to understand that nothing is going to happen overnight and that it will take time to study public safety in general. Thoughts and comments are always welcome, but to dramatically rework Bath’s budget to do something that might not even help us,” Flynn said, adding he does not believe reforming a borough police force is the answer. He said that will not change the outcome of the Feb. 3 shooting.

“Folks will need to be patient, and there will be more information to follow,” Flynn added.

In the 1990s, council contracted with Colonial Regional Police Department.

As time went by, Colonial’s police costs to Bath escalated to more than $400,000 per year. Borough leaders concluded the costs were not sustainable and began talks with the state police to provide police services in Bath.

After many public meetings and a unanimous council vote, the switch to the state police became effective July 1, 2018. State police services are provided at no cost to the borough.

Flynn noted the five-year evaluation period of the state police is due this July. He and others on council have expressed positive statements and satisfaction about the state police coverage of the borough since they arrived in 2018.

After the meeting, Flynn expressed frustration residents will complain about a matter days or longer after they see a questionable activity in the borough. When asked if they called the non-urgent state police number, they reply, “No.”

Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito consistently implores residents to call the state police whenever they see something questionable.

“If you see something, say something,” Reginelli-Mirabito has said at many meetings.

In other matters, council passed ordinance 2023-726 to remove accessible parking spaces at 104 Washington St. and 249 Green St.

Council also passed ordinance 2023-727 that provides definitions for medical marijuana dispensary, grower/processor and delivery vehicle and permit each use as special exception in the manufacturing/commercial zoning district.

Ordinances are available for review by contacting the borough office.