Round Lake Park mayor candidates discuss the public and police

While crime has not been a main issue in the race for mayor of Round Lake Park, both candidates differ the role of the public in helping police.

Challenger Bill Baczek contends a neighborhood watch program is needed to keep residents' minds at ease while taking some of the burden off the police department.

He said some young parents are nervous, and suggests a program tailored to neighborhoods in which residents are encouraged to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and communicate with each other. Stickers in windows would identify participants.

"We need something to give our young parents comfort," he said. "It's not a bad idea to get people in our town talking to each other again."

He added the police department "does an outstanding job with the minimal resources we have," but the village has been hurt as a result of the loss of the Hainesville police contract funding. Round Lake Park provided police service to the neighboring community until it formed its own force about a year ago.

Incumbent Mayor Jean McCue, who was appointed in 2006 to replace the late Ila Bauer, said she favors a different approach.

She said police are considering two programs, Citizen Emergency Response Team and Volunteers in Police Service, which are considered a step above a neighborhood watch-type program.

"When you have an organization in place that's not going anywhere, you'll have more success," she said. Dealing with gang members, for example, is not something average citizens should be involved with, she said.

McCue said total crime in Round Lake Park dropped 63 percent in 2008 from the year before, but that wasn't an indication crime was at a high level in 2007. Police are diligent, she added.

"They've always worked as a proactive police department," she said.

She added contract money from Hainesville was not included in last year's budget and can't be considered in 2009-10 budget projections.