(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Beaver Falls’ police department will be operating on a new schedule.

The city’s council approved an MOU addendum to the police department’s collective bargaining agreement, now making the regular amount of work hours per shift from eight to twelve. The decision was majorly favored by the police officers, who expect the decision to allot for more days off and for potential employment opportunities.

“I also hope that this opens up some other opportunities for recruitment,” spoke Police Chief David Johnson. He spoke about how officers feel that certain shifts are becoming “tight”, and that new officers may see the new hours as beneficial to joining the department.

Council also gave the green light to the demolition of three additional properties on Bridge Street in the city, in conjunction with the Redevelopment Authority. The council also approved the subsequent advertisement of nine properties on Bridge Street.

Also approved was an agreement with the COSTARS program for the purchase of rock salt for the season of August 2023 through July 2024, along with the approval of three block closures per the safety committee. However, Mayor Kenya Johns announced that council will temporarily bar any block/road closures outside of business hours. Johns stated that the reason for the decision was a lack of resources for night or weekend closures.

The board will next meet on Tuesday, July 11 at 7:00 PM.