Three pitches made to be Hainesville's police

Representatives for two outside police agencies delivered their best pitches at a meeting Tuesday night on the benefits they'd deliver to Hainesville if selected to replace the village's 2-year-old force.

Hainesville Police Chief Wallace Frasier presented his own pitch to the village board and residents in the gallery, explaining how extra money must be budgeted for the upcoming 2010-11 fiscal year to move Hainesville police from a start-up operation into a department with full-time officer staffing.

New estimates show total Hainesville police costs would be $1.1 million for the budget year starting May 1. That figure includes moving officers from village hall into a rented building, and personnel.

Grayslake, Round Lake Park and the Lake County sheriff's office submitted proposals this year to patrol Hainesville around the clock daily, possibly for less cost. Only Grayslake and the sheriff's police were invited to present Tuesday night.

Lake County's total first-year costs for Hainesville are pegged at $791,566, and Grayslake's at $711,782.

David Godlewski, the sheriff's office chief of operations, said Hainesville would receive a deputy exclusive to the village along with a variety of other services the agency provides.

Grayslake Police Chief Larry Herzog said a fifth patrol beat would be created to cover Hainesville. He said five to seven cops would be on duty at any given time.

"There would be no difference in delivery of police service to Hainesville as to us," Herzog said.

Round Lake Park, which covered Hainesville from 1999 to 2008, is offering to police the town for $540,000 to $583,000 annually.

Frasier said Hainesville would need to provide two-officer patrols around the clock. Other necessary added expenses, he said, would include providing medical benefits to officers who now receive a $150 monthly stipend for insurance.

Hainesville launched its own police department in 2008 after a dispute in service costs arose with Round Lake Park. Hainesville officials have publicly doubted entertaining the offer to rejoin Round Lake Park, citing the previously strained relationship.

State requirements revised in 1999 forced Hainesville to shut its part-time police department. Instead of paying for officers to undergo more training, Hainesville opted to link with Round Lake Park.

Hainesville village board members are expected to make a decision on the police service April 13.

Pitches: Decision should be made on April 13