Mercer County District Attorney James P. Epstein hasn't ruled out giving money to Southwest Mercer County Regional police to augment its force.

But any money will not be coming soon.

Southwest reduced the status of two full-timers to part-time Jan. 1 because of a budget shortfall. Epstein said the cuts could hamper the department's law-enforcement efforts and offered money from the drug- and alcohol-forfeiture fund to possibly upgrade one of the policemen back to full time.

While a lag in getting state Weed and Seed funding prompted Epstein to use forfeiture funds to pay the salary of Weed and Seed law enforcement coordinator Robert Kochems, an assistant district attorney, another Weed and Seed matter is taking precedence over Southwest's staffing.

Sharon and Farrell applied for a Weed and Seed grant, which partly funds a two-pronged approach to revitalization that includes a law enforcement crackdown and community-building activities.

The Weed and Seed grant requires a local match for each of its three years. The first year's match is 25 percent of the $228,500 budget -- $57,125.

While officials are confident the state Department of Community and Economic Development will come through with a $45,000 grant to cover most of the match, $12,125 is left unaccounted for.

Epstein has pledged forfeiture money to make up the last bit of the local match.

Epstein said it would be "irresponsible" to let Weed and Seed fail because of a shortfall of $12,000.

"I think Weed and Seed just represents a unique opportunity for Farrell and Sharon to revitalize parts of both cities," he said. "The two communities are intertwined. We got the funding because both city councils and both chief executive officers realized that."

While Southwest Police Chief Joseph Timko warned the police commission Tuesday about Epstein's action, "We're supposed to be reading that we're not getting additional help."

Epstein said he hasn't closed the book on helping Southwest with money for staffing.

"I will take a look at what we have left," he said. "If Southwest or Sharon or anyone else requests special assistance, we will take a look at it."

The explanation didn't sit well with Wheatland Mayor Thomas Stanton.

"He's obligated to keep his damn word," Stanton said. "I think Weed and Seed is a wonderful program, but he has a responsibility to the rest of the county."

Stanton argued that patrolmen on their routine patrols do as much to fight drugs as special programs such as Weed and Seed.

Commission Chairman James DeCapua said the commission will live with whatever Epstein decides, noting that the county's chief prosecutor controls both the forfeiture fund and Weed and Seed.

"It's his call," DeCapua said.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Joe Pinchot at

jpinchot@sharon-herald.com