MCC to turn security into campus police force

Pointing to a greater desire to protect students and the school community, the safety and security operation at McHenry County College is morphing into a full-fledged police force.

Authorities admit the shootings at Northern Illinois University and Virginia Tech factored into their decision. But they also acknowledge there have not been any serious threats or incidents at the Crystal Lake school.

“We are trying to plan for the worst and hope for the best,” MCC President Vicky Smith said, adding that the school considered the proposal for about a year. “We're trying to plan so if something like that occurred, we would be prepared.”

Once the transition is completed, there would be 10 staffers there are now eight.

On the police side, three would serve as full-time sworn police officers while two would work part time.

As for security, three will be full-time security guards, while two will work part time.

Full-time police officers would make $35,000 a year while the part-time cops would pull in about $15 an hour, said Michael Clesceri, director of campus safety and security.

Officials do not envision growing the police force in the foreseeable future, saying the 10 officer/security guard hybrid is enough for now.

The move will completely change the way the school handles emergencies right now, the school currently calls on the Crystal Lake Police Department.

With the transition, it wouldn't rely on the Crystal Lake police to run license plates, direct traffic or respond to disturbances and fender benders on campus.

“It brings us in line with other community colleges in the state, and you prepare for being able to properly protect your students at all times,” Clesceri said. “And just having a campus presence reduces your response time.”

Officials budgeted $598,000 for the safety and security department, Smith said.

Included in these numbers are $67,000 in police protection from Crystal Lake, $20,000 for a police radio upgrade required by the FCC and about $22,000 for a car the new department will utilize it won't be a squad car, just a regular car, Smith said.

Authorities estimate it will cost $608,500 to make the transition that's expected to take between four and six months to complete.

Included in those figures are police uniforms, firearms and other related accessories.

Officials also slated some of that money to hire an outside dispatching agency.

They estimate saving $57,000 in police protection and say that after the initial year, running their own police staff will actually save about $10,000.

MCC also hopes to ink intergovernmental agreements that would call bring mutual aide from nearby departments, should the need arise.

“Once we get the uniforms and all the upfront things taken care of, it's really less expensive to have a law enforcement agency,” Smith said.