Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Baldwin public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
5 issues in public safety
Tri-community fire services regionalization
Baldwin, Brentwood, and Whitehall are deep into a joint fire services study, with manager interviews underway and substantial findings expected by March or April.
Volunteer fire department funding and stipend program
Baldwin EMS has only 22.14% subscription participation, and the fire company's call volume is heading toward 1,000 for the year. Council asked for a combined revenue-and-expense report before the mid-year budget review, noting borough contributions have grown from $173,000 in 2018 to $687,000 in 2026.
Switch from PlateSmart to Viper contract
After a closed-door session, council terminated the PlateSmart agreement and signed on with Viper instead — likely tied to traffic/speed-enforcement camera technology.
Repeat vehicle break-ins and firearm theft on Penn Street
Resident George Hunt says a masked suspect has hit his Penn Street neighborhood four times since September, stealing a gun and cash from cars, and says police haven't followed up. The chief says the cases are active and will arrange a detective call.
Rescue from Penn Street-area house fire
Firefighters, police, and EMS rescued a woman trapped on the second floor of a burning Baldwin home on Monday. Officials credited the borough's fire stipend staffing program for the fast response.