Oxford Borough Council members voted 5-2 to disband the community’s local law enforcement department, which was established in 1926. Council President Kathryn Cloyd, Vice President Bill Fitzpatrick, and members Michael Brandt, Melody Boston-Griffin and Robert Ketcham voted “yes” as the crowd shouted out in protest, voicing a collective sense of opposition that reverberated through the auditorium. Councilmembers Raul Juarez-Lara and Amanda Birdwell both voted “no.” Oxford Mayor Phillip Harris said that by pursuing a partnership with Southern Chester County’s regional force — composed of New Garden and West Grove with contracted services provided to Avondale — will ensure that Oxford continues to have 24-hour policing. He said the community wouldn’t need to keep the police station however, though he didn’t disclose whether the plan is to sell the property. The mayor said it was too big of a space to become the borough’s substation, where two officers from the regional department will be stationed. West Grove and New Garden boards must vote to allow Oxford to become a voting member of the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department.
Source: Daily Times; 8/18/2026