Hainesville wants its own police force

The village of Hainesville plans to sever ties with Round Lake Park and create its own police department.

The decision ends an eight-year relationship between the two communities, one that has grown contentious over the last year because of a financial dispute.

"The goal is ultimately to establish our own police department and have police serve by Feb. 10," Hainesville Mayor Ted Mueller said Monday.

Since 1999, Hainesville has paid Round Lake Park for its police services, but problems arose late last year after Round Lake Park claimed Hainesville was not paying its fair share.

"It is an unfortunate and regrettable situation," Round Lake Park Mayor Jean McCue said. "The village of Round Lake Park has tried everything possible to resolve issues through lengthy negotiations prior to litigation."

Litigation began last month with Round Lake Park seeking more than $500,000 from Hainesville.

Hainesville pays Round Lake Park about $28,000 per month for police services. Round Lake Park officials argue the contract should have contained built-in increases for the past three years.

Mueller said he is convinced Hainesville can run a department for less money. A budget for the department won't be completed until the end of the week, he said.

While the specifics of the new department still need to be approved by the village board, Mueller said he estimates it would have four full-time officers and 12 to 14 part-time officers.

Hainesville, which bills itself as Lake County's oldest incorporated community, has about 3,500 residents. It had about 3,000 police calls last year.

The village is reviewing applications for an interim police chief and is also considering buying two squad cars from the village of Round Lake Beach.

Mueller is meeting with the Lake County sheriff's department Wednesday to discuss a possible contract but said he doesn't think a deal will be forthcoming.

Not everyone is as confident as Mueller that Hainesville can afford its own police department.

A special meeting Saturday to discuss the new department drew about 30 people, some of whom were ordered removed by police. Those residents were upset because they were not allowed to make public comments and began speaking out of turn, officials said.

Opponents fear the village is rushing into a major undertaking without fully investigating the matter.

"No cost analysis has been done, at least not that has ever been announced at any village board meeting," said Georgeann Duberstein, one of the residents escorted from the meeting.

Mueller said the opponents at the meeting represent the vocal, negative minority. Regardless of the public display, the village will move forward.

"I truly regret the necessity to call the police in," he said. "I polled the board and asked the four trustees present if I should open the meeting to public discussion. All four said no."