Regional Police Department In Luzerne County Hits Roadblock

West Hazleton, Luzerne County--    Plans for a regional police department in southern Luzerne County appear to be dead on arrival. It would have been called The Southern Luzerne County Regional Police Department and would have provided protection for West Hazleton Borough and Hazle Township. West Hazleton Mayor Frank Schmidt said, "I think it was political and that was it." Schmidt believes a power shift in Hazle Township doomed the plan. He said, "There are certain officials who just didn't want to regionalize." The idea began three years ago and after much study and debate Hazle Township and West Hazleton were on the verge of launching a new police force. Hazle Township Supervisor P.J Gallagher told Eyewitness News, "It had nothing t do with politics. The numbers did not add up for our taxpayers." Mary Ann Hill, who runs Amore's Restaurant in West Hazleton , said, "I'm glad it  did not work out.Our town is small and we like our police close to us." Hazle Township is protected by the State Police.