LIBERTY — In an attempt to make certain areas safer, police have increased the number of traffic stops, according to a report from the township’s acting police chief.

Acting Chief Ray Buhala told trustees at Monday’s meeting that the police department has been receiving lots of complaints regarding speeding in residential neighborhoods — resulting in an uptick in patrols.

“We have directed our patrol to those residential streets surrounding the school, Keefer (Road), and several others,” Buhala said. “In the last couple of weeks, we stopped 80 vehicles in those neighborhoods; 48 of those were township residents.”

Buhala said the department will continue to direct the patrols as calls for service and the available manpower will allow, and plans to make it more of a priority.

“We want to continue to get the message out to residents to watch your speed on the residential roads,” Buhala said. “That’s the most important part, which is changing the behavior.”

In other action, trustees:

• Approved hiring Ashlei Angell as a part-time firefighter / paramedic at a rate of $21 an hour with no benefits, pending pre-employment drug testing and a successful background check.

• Accepted the resignation of part-time firefighter Jeff Morgan, effective today.

• Approved hiring Joshua Alessi as a part-time firefighter and basic EMT at a rate of $20 an hour with no benefits.

• Approved determining 632 Underwood Drive as a nuisance and requiring its demolition and removal.

• Approved offering Dominic Rozzo a reserve police officer position, which is a volunteer position with no benefits or pay.

• Approved extending the township’s contract with Republic Services for residential solid waste collections through Sept. 30, 2027.