Sharon council members are hoping to save money by leaving the Shenango Valley Regional Lockup.

Council voted 3 to 2 Thursday to stop using lockup, operated by Mercer County Regional Council of Governments. Council must give COG 90 days' notice.

The city is charged $10 an hour per prisoner to use the lockup. Police Chief Thomas Burke said that on Tuesday alone the city spent $440 to lodge three prisoners. If the lockup in Sharon were operating it wouldn't have cost the city anything, he said. Police clerks will monitor the cells, he said.

Last year, the city spent $41,0000 on lockup fees. Mayor David O. Ryan said the city can operate its own jail cells for about $25,000 a year.

Burke said there is also a safety hazard with the constant transport of prisoners, and policemen leaving the city to take them to lockup in the Farrell city building.

Councilmen Fred Hoffman and Lou Rotunno voted against leaving the lockup. Hoffman said he understands the reasons for leaving but sees some drawbacks.

"It's a major step backwards for shared services. We keep going backwards," Hoffman said.