On Jan. 1, North Irwin will have a new mayor for the first time in 16-plus years. Lenny Santimyer is not seeking re-election after 50 years of serving the borough, first as a councilman, then as mayor.

The tiny town's mayoral race has developed into an interesting competition matching former borough public works employee Matt Berkhouse against Republican Jim Douglas, who once served on council.

History isn't the issue. Public safety is.

Intense campaigning by both candidates suggests a crime wave is menacing the half-square-mile borough.

For more than four months, North Irwin was without a police officer after Pete Henderson resigned as chief in May. Then Mike Kresich was hired part time in late September.

Complaints about barking dogs, graffiti, arguing neighbors and parking violations this summer prompted some council members to organize a citizens Crime Watch

A construction worker, Mr. Berkhouse, 29, was appointed a co-coordinator along with Councilman Gordon Stoves, who is running for re-election.

Crime Watch remains intact. Its mission: To support Officer Kresich, who works 20 hours a week to ensure the safety of 820 residents.

"I feel it's important that the mayor works to ensure that the police department and Crime Watch function in tandem," Mr. Berkhouse has stressed during his campaign. "People and police working together should deter even minor incidents from happening."

"We have to keep residents safe," said Mr. Douglas, 47, who endorsed the Crime Watch initiative. "In a small town like ours, neighbors must look out for neighbors, and that includes elected officials."

Meanwhile, Mr. Santimyer, a Republican, said: "I'm getting a kick out of sitting on the sidelines for the first time in 50 years, watching how things will play out. It'll be interesting."

North Irwin has a reputation for being a "write-in" town. What if Mr. Santimyer gets more votes than the candidates on the ballot?

"I would turn it down," he said, smiling. "Like I said, I'm retiring."

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