Hainesville police taking shape

It's been an exciting two and a half weeks for Ronald Roth.

The first-ever chief of Hainesville's new police department told trustees he's making progress in getting the operation off the ground.

The village voted last month to create its own department, severing a partnership it had since 1999 with the Round Lake Park Police Department.

Roth has been given three months to organize the new department. During that time, the Lake County Sheriff's Department will provide police protection at no cost to the village. That includes school bus traffic direction at Prairieview Elementary School.

Roth said residents will call 911 as always if there is an emergency, while nonemergency calls will go to the sheriff's office at (847) 549-5200. CenCom will transfer calls to the sheriff's office with minor delay.

Village Clerk Kathy Metzler said postcards were mailed Feb. 5 to all residents with details about the interim contract.

"I realize we will have a couple of bumps in the road," Roth said. "Calls, so far as of Monday, have been handled smoothly."

Roth said he has received support from Round Lake area chiefs in discussing goals for his new department and in the form of donations. Round Lake Beach donated two squad cars to Hainesville, including one now being repainted. The Round Lake Area Fire Department provided books to help officers get around town and surrounding communities.

Police departments as far away as Winnetka donated other equipment, including light bars and on-board video camera systems.

The donations help, Roth said, but his department will also need to buy items including sirens, antennas and control boxes.

Roth has contacted the U.S. Justice Department to seek grants to address expenses. He said he has applied for a grant would reimburse 50 percent of cost to buy bulletproof body armor for hired officers.

Roth also has begun advertising for police officer and record officer positions and said he has "received a wonderful response."

The new police department will be housed at the village hall. Anyone taken into custody will be transported to the CenCom facility in Round Lake Beach. Hainesville's village hall only will be used for officers filing reports and for residents to see a report or speak with an officer.

A police budget draft has been completed, Roth said, but a final budget is not available.

With three months to create a 24-hour-a-day department, Roth said he may beat that deadline.

"I want to make sure we do this the right way and provide a department the residents will be happy with," he said.