Deer Park hears pitch for police services

With its current contract for police services set to expire in April, Deer Park officials are exploring their options for the future.

While currently paying the village of Kildeer for police service, Deer Park trustees Thursday met with Barrington officials about what they can offer.

Barrington Police Chief Jeff Lawler, along with Village President Karen Darch, Trustee Jim Daluga and Village Manager Denise Pieroni, presented Deer Park officials with an overview of the services they offer as well as a proposal for a 10-year contract between the two villages.

When communities share services, like police, Lawler said it maximizes resources.

"It allows you to be much more efficient (with your resources)," Lawler said.

Under the proposed agreement, Deer Park would pay Barrington $1.39 million in 2008-2009, with costs rising to $1.69 million in 2012-2013.

For the second five years of the deal, if costs remain under a 5 percent increase a year, the remaining years of the contract would kick in. If the costs rise above 5 percent a year, then Deer Park trustees would need to approve the contract.

By signing a 10-year contract, Lawler said it allows additional officers to be hired without fear that their positions may be eliminated just a few years later.

"We like to have the longer agreements," Lawler said.

Under the proposed contract, Lawler said there would be one full-time dedicated officer at all times in Deer Park and a second officer who would split time between Deer Park and Barrington.

This is the second time in the past few months that Deer Park officials have been given a proposal for police services.

In October, Kildeer Police Chief Jeffrey Lilly presented trustees with a proposal for a three-year extension to the current deal that was signed in 2005.

Under the proposed agreement, Deer Park would pay Kildeer about $1.43 million in 2008-2009, $1.57 million the following year and $1.67 million in the final year of the contract.

This year, Deer Park is paying $1.3 million for police services.

Deer Park's consideration of switching police forces comes at the same time Inverness is debating whether to end its nearly 40-year relationship with the village of Barrington.

In September, Inverness trustees rejected a proposed five-year extension to the current contract, which expires in April 2009.

Inverness officials are now considering starting their own police department, which they believe would save them a considerable amount of money.

Thursday's meeting was just an opportunity for Barrington to make its presentation and for trustees to review the proposal. Trustees have yet to vote on either deal.