Updated criminal code would give police more discretion

An updated Petersburg criminal code would give officers more discretion when it comes to charging individuals with minor crimes.

“What we’re looking at is taking some issues that are minor crimes and giving the officers the option to write a simple borough ordinance violation similar to a traffic ticket,” Police Chief Kelly Swihart said.

Officers would determine whether or not to arrest individuals for crimes such as Driving while License is Suspended, Revoked or Canceled, Trespassing and Minor Theft.

“If we get a young person, for instance, shoplifting at one of the stores we can write them a...