CEDAR LAKE | With the town's finances tight for now, the Police Department is adding to its reserve ranks to keep pace with the growing community's needs.

Police Chief Roger Patz asked for, and received, the Town Council's blessing earlier this week to add three reserve officers.

The increase in the reserve ranks was recommended earlier by the Cedar Lake Police Commission at Patz's urging.

In other police matters, Patz said his request for a special tab on the town's Web site at www.cedarlakein.org has been met. Residents can now provide tips, anonymously if desired, on incidents of crime in the town, he said.

"We're short of manpower," Patz said, indicating that the additional reserve officers and Web site tab should help. "In the coming months, we'll also ask for your support for a tip hotline," he told the councilmen.

The reserve officers approved are Harry Preste, James Arrvia IV and Jeffrey McAllister. Preste is currently a Lake County Sheriff's Department reserve officer and served as a reserve officer for eight years with the White County Sheriff's Department.