Letter to the editor: Jeannette seniors deserve better

After reading the article “Federal grant to pay for security upgrades in Westmoreland public housing” (March 24, TribLIVE), I wanted to give my perspective as a city council member.

Yes, Jeannette is the only municipality that rejected payment for extra police patrols. These patrols would be overtime for our officers who are already stretched thin, and the city would take a hit if any injuries occurred if an officer would have to be placed on leave. In addition, as overtime, the patrols would happen before or after a shift and become predictable to not have an impact on the persistent unlawful activity happening in the facility operated by the Westmoreland County Housing Authority.

The 95-unit Jeannette Manor, over 50 years old, is functionally obsolete, at the end of its economic life cycle and a perpetual burden on our first responders. While the housing authority bills the complex as senior housing, unfortunately it is no longer offered solely to aging residents with limited resources to allow them to live safely among family, friends and community.

If the housing authority was truly concerned about Jeannette, they would entertain a plan to level the facility and work with city officials to build a modern home for our community’s senior population to feel safe. We deserve better.

Chad Krawtz

Jeannette

The writer is a Jeannette Council member.