WARREN - The notion of police agencies sharing or even possibly consolidating services isn't new, but it is taking on greater importance now as communities in Trumbull County continue to experience less operating revenue.
The latest stab at regionalization being taken by the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office is a proposal to compare and analyze common areas of service provided by the sheriff's office and the Warren Police Department.
''We're not saying we do things better than Warren. We're saying let's take a look at what each other is doing,'' said Trumbull County Sheriff Thomas Altiere.
The initiative to regionalize governments has been gaining steam in Trumbull County, but developments in Warren that caused the layoffs of 40 workers - 20 alone in the police department - is causing officials to develop new and creative ways to save money while still providing a high level of service.
''Economics have forced everyone to take a look at it,'' said Ernest Cook III, chief deputy, Trumbull County Sheriff's Office.
Warren officials have said on previous occasions that they are not opposed to discussing shared services.
Later this month, Cook will be making a police service consolidation presentation to the Trumbull County Council of Governments. It's a group of locally elected officials that have been brainstorming ways to solve crises facing all communities, like budget cutbacks.
''What is happening is out of necessity,'' said Tony Paglia, vice president of government affairs for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber. ''Now we have to start looking at this stuff really seriously.''
Some of the issues that likely would be examined include communication systems, equipment and records management, Altiere said. Other issues that would need addressed would be contractual obligations and personnel, Cook said.
''The goal is to be good stewards,'' Altiere said. ''We have to spend money wisely.''
There is grant money available to implement colloborative efforts, Paglia said, but it can only be used for purposes related to transition into shared services.
''If things are going great and communities have the money, they don't want to change anything,'' Paglia said. ''But the reality is, things are not going to get better anytime soon as far as government revenue. I hope everyone really starts to take a hard look at what various communities can do together.''