Posted on 03/23/2011 10:35

HARRISBURG - The issue of providing extra state trooper coverage in the Poconos is on the radar screen of state police Commissioner-designate Frank Noonan.

Reps. Mike Peifer, R-139, Honesdale, and Mario Scavello, R-176, Mount Pocono, pressed Mr. Noonan on Tuesday about assigning more troopers during the two major racing events that draw thousands of fans to the Pocono Raceway.

A Clarks Summit resident, Mr. Noonan spent the day outlining his agency's spending needs before the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

Mr. Peifer said he has been told previously it is difficult to deploy troopers to handle temporary population influxes like those during the raceway events and throughout the summer tourism season.

"This is something I want to take a look at," said Mr. Noonan. "The closer I can get to a full complement (of troopers), the better I can serve your needs."

There are nearly 400 vacancies in trooper ranks due mainly to retirements, he said.

Gov. Tom Corbett's state budget request includes funding to train 237 new troopers in the 2011-12 fiscal year. This would be paid for by giving state police a share of traffic fines in municipalities where they handle law enforcement due to lack of local police forces.