Des Plaines police continue to watch over parks

The Des Plaines City Council this week unanimously approved renewing an intergovernmental agreement between the city’s police department and the Des Plaines Park District to provide summer park patrols and security services in 2011 and 2012.

“I think the public should know that the park district and the police department are working very closely,” said 5th Ward Alderman James Brookman, who served on the park board when the partnership began.

Des Plaines police have been providing security at parks facilities since 2007. Previously, the park district had hired private security companies, which didn’t work out so well, officials said.

“Since the police have taken over, it’s been an excellent program,” Brookman said.

Des Plaines Police Chief Jim Prandini said the program has been successful because of the training auxiliary police officers receive from the department.

“They understand what to be looking for. They communicate better with us than we had with the private security,” Prandini said. “So it’s been a win-win. The park district has been very happy with it and we hope to continue the relationship for years to come.”