Hazleton Police could soon be patrolling Banks Township in Carbon County, according to a plan put forth by the city’s mayor and township supervisors.

For years, state police have provided coverage in the township at the northern end of the county, including the villages of Tresckow and Junedale.

But with talk of state police charging for the service, and more importantly, the township wanting more police presence, officials in both municipalities have proposed a partnership.

Mayor Jeff Cusat, police Chief Jerry Speziale and state Sen. John Yudichak held a news conference along with the township supervisors on Monday to announce they have an agreement ready for both sides to vote on.

Under the proposed agreement, Banks would pay $28,000 per year to the city. Hazleton Police would respond to calls in the township, and officials hope, provide an increased presence. Hazleton police would only enforce state law, just like state police do now, and keep any fines resulting from their investigations.

Township Supervisor Joe Clark praised the state police for their service, while looking forward to the opportunity to have a local department patrolling.

“They’ve done great work in Banks Township, but we were looking for more of a presence. The fact that the Hazleton police force will be visible to the residents of Banks Township is a big plus for us,” Clark said.

Hazleton Police Department currently has 42 officers. Speziale said the current force will have enough personnel to patrol the township while maintaining the same service in the city. Grants may be available because they provide regional coverage.

Under the proposal, calls placed to 911 in Banks Township would now be connected to Hazleton City Police through the Luzerne County 911 system.

Speziale said he has been in touch with representatives from the District Attorney’s office, Banks’ Magisterial District Judge Joseph Homanko and 911 dispatchers. Those details have yet to be finalized, but Speziale said that the logistics of the arrangement should be easily managed.

The Banks Township supervisors say they’re ready to pass the agreement at their next meeting.

Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat said that the agreement has not been approved yet by council, but he is firmly in favor of the proposal. If it is approved, both sides have a chance to opt out of the agreement.

“They reached out to other municipalities, and we just felt the city of Hazleton was a better fix for them. (Banks) touches on all the southern points of our city,” he said.

Geographically, the partnership makes sense. Hazleton connects to the township by three main roads — Route 309, 93 and South Poplar Street.

“At one end of town (Hazleton police) stop and turn around and they can just keep coming through Banks Township and come out on the other side,” Township Supervisor Rick Porpiglia said. “It’s a continuous route. It ties both ends of the city into Banks Township.”

Yudichak said that he’s a proponent of regional cooperation, especially when it comes to police coverage. He pointed out that children from Banks Township already attend the Hazleton School District.

“This is municipal cooperation at its best. As the challenges of our cities townships and boroughs continue in Pennsylvania, One of the hardest things for municipalities to do is provide police coverage. It’s costly. There’s extensive training that goes into providing a full-time force,” he said.