Deer Park could end police deal with Kildeer

Deer Park officials are reviewing their contract for police services from Kildeer over concerns that they may not be receiving the level of attention promised.

Village Attorney James Bateman said the concerns are not based on any particular incident or purely financial issues, and there is no timeline for when the village may act on its review.

Deer Park is in the fourth year of its second contract with Kildeer for police service. The deal ends April 30, 2013, but would automatically renew for another five years if neither party objects.

Deer Park will pay Kildeer about $1.45 million for police services this year under the deal, which increases the village’s cost annually.

The village was policed by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department until around the time the Deer Park Town Center opened more than a decade ago. Officials then began looking for a law enforcement agency whose home base was closer to Deer Park.

Kildeer Village Administrator Michael Talbett said he could not discuss details of current negotiations with Deer Park, but agreed with Bateman that concerns do not seem to be about any one particular issue.

“Negotiations we’ve had about the contract have been about a variety of things,” Talbett said. “We are open to resolving any concerns that Deer Park may have regarding the contract.”

Deer Park Village President Robert Kellermann was unavailable for comment Wednesday. But a news release from the village suggested that the current review and any subsequent action would be wrapped up relatively soon.

“We are reviewing the contractual requirements and the actual coverage provided to determine compliance,” the release reads. “If actual coverage received is inconsistent with what was contracted for, remedial action will be considered.”