Clifton Heights Borough Council voted to adopt Resolution 2025-15, establishing borough police guidelines that authorize warrantless arrests in certain summary-offense situations under Act 25 of 1995. The motion, made by Council member Fagioli and seconded by Council member Foreman, passed by voice vote.

The solicitor told the council the resolution is largely housekeeping: it places on the borough’s books authority already governed by state law and rules of criminal procedure. "To the extent that anybody hears, ‘oh, we're authorizing warrantless arrests,’ it's not anything that hasn't already been in place," he said, adding the change is meant to give officers a tool to diffuse violent situations and that subsequent handling of arrestees is regulated by the courts.

Why it matters: The resolution clarifies local policy for officers who encounter ongoing fights, domestic disturbances or other incidents involving threats or violence and who may need to take a person into custody immediately. Supporters said this step helps officers quickly separate combatants and restore safety; the solicitor and police chief emphasized state law and criminal-procedure safeguards remain in place.

Solicitor remarks to council described typical scenarios covered by the guideline and the procedural steps that follow an arrest, including bringing a person before a magistrate or issuing citations. Police Chief briefly confirmed the solicitor’s description and the council approved the resolution without recorded roll-call (voice vote).

What the vote did not do: The solicitor and police chief said the resolution does not expand criminal definitions or create a new arrest power beyond what state statute and procedure already allow; rather, it adopts a local guideline requested by the police department. The council did not discuss specific instances of prior use during the meeting.

Next steps: The resolution is adopted and will be placed in borough records; no additional council action was announced at the meeting.