Mount Prospect candidates discuss police station needs

One of the pressing issues for Mount Prospect is the challenge of what to do about the police headquarters.

The police chief says the facility is outmoded for the needs of modern policing, and a space needs study has been commissioned.

The five candidates for three seats on the village board were asked about the issue at a meeting with the Daily Herald editorial board.

"We'll see what the space needs study indicates," said incumbent Michael Zadel, one of two candidates who is not a write-in. "I didn't say I'm in favor of a new facility. I would really like to see the results of the space study."

However, he said, "I believe that the police department needs additional space. What form that's going to take, at this stage, I'm not going to say."

Zadel said the question would be thoroughly vetted and involve the public in a full discussion. He noted that when the village built Fire Station 14 on Kensington Road, there was a lot of community engagement.

"I worked for a government agency for many years, and I know the theory of 'always ask for more than you need,'" Zadel said, but he added that the fact that he served other government agencies and knows where "some of the bodies are hidden" means that he has been able to challenge staff and raise questions.

The other candidate on the ballot, hopeful Bill Grossi, said, "Time will be of the essence in borrowing money if we have to do it, because interest rates are starting to tick up.

"Hopefully when do get that study, if we do need additional space, I do not believe the police station needs to be downtown. The Kensington (Business) Center, you could relocate it there. I'm open to listening to whatever that study says to come up with the best alternative.

"Believe me, I think everybody on the board will grill them to make sure that the costs are as low as they can possibly be, but provide the best service and the best functionality for the police department for the next 15 to 20 years."

He said questions remain as to what to do with the current building if the police department moves, whether that means expanding the fire department and village offices there or whether it means selling it off and moving the fire department at the same time.

"I attended two years ago the Citizens Police Academy, and you could see that they were out of space two years ago and that they needed more functionality," he said. "Everything was so crammed together. The offices were tight. In modern policing, you do not want the perpetrator and the victim anywhere near each other."

Walter Szymczak, who is running as a write-in, said he would also need to see the study before forming an opinion.

Szymczak, who is retired from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, said, "I understand interest rates. When I worked at the Federal Reserve, we always had to watch the budget. I would be interested to see if, once the study was done and (it was) decided to go out for a bond issue, would it be necessary to do a referendum."

Former Trustee A. John Korn, who is also running as a write-in, said, "I have a real problem with referendums. The only referendum that I will ever support is a binding referendum. It's a waste of money and time and everybody's efforts to have a nonbinding referendum."

He said the village board has operated on a pay-as-you-go basis and borrows as little as possible.

"The bond rating that we enjoy has been a very high bond rating," he said. "The board - not only this board, but past boards for years and years - have been very frugal.

"One of my major concerns is the fact that whatever they come with as far as a study, they have to go ahead and make sure that there is room for expansion … We are taking in more territory, we are annexing more property. There is going to be more responsibilities. We know the fire department, especially, is going to have to go ahead and step up. Eventually, the Elk Grove Township Fire Department will cease to exist. Just exactly where and when and what the actual needs are, we have to go ahead and see what the study brings."

Eleni Hatzis, the third write-in candidate, said she would also need to see the results of the study.

"It's hard to comment on something when you don't know the results of a study," she said, adding, "I have a special place in my heart (for police). My father worked for the sheriff's police for 27 years. So it's kind of a special thing for me to make sure they are all accommodated for and well taken care of.

"Clearly there is an issue of space. But at that point in time when the study comes out, that's when everything can be looked at more deeply and specifically to see where and what our options are."

As with Grossi, she wonders whether downtown is the right location.

"Do you open another location on the south side of town, which needs help? Or do you keep it all downtown?" she said. "These are the things we don't know."