We need more info on own police force

At a special meeting of the village board on Dec. 1, our Hainesville mayor emphatically stated, "We will have our own police cars on the street by Feb. 10," when our police contract with Round Lake Park expires. Yet in the Daily Herald on Dec. 3, the mayor said, "A budget for the department won't be completed until the end of the week."

We, who the mayor labeled "opponents," are not necessarily objecting to having our own police force. However, before such a major decision is reached, and we rush headlong into unknown territory with expensive, long lasting financial consequences for the village taxpayers, shouldn't we know costs of salary, equipment, insurance, pensions, benefits and physical facilities?

Even if, after a complete study, it is determined that having our own police department is warranted, is it prudent to try and go from zero to a full-blown police force in only 60 days?

It might be prudent to contract with the Lake County sheriff's department, even on a short-term basis, while the board investigates all the ramifications of creating our own police department. The mayor agreed to meet with Lake County sheriff officials, but, as quoted in the Daily Herald, "He doesn't think a deal is forthcoming."

Why have Volo, Long Grove, North Barrington, Lake Barrington, and Beach Park, communities about the size of Hainesville or larger, maintained contracts with the sheriff's department for years? Do they know something we haven't learned yet?

Everyone wishes to have our own police department, but is that the right decision for us?

Chief Eckenstaller, Lake County sheriff's department, will attend our next village board meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the village hall. Please plan to attend.

Georgeann Duberstein

Hainesville