Village disbands police department

ROANOKE -- The village of Roanoke has decided to disband its police department and turn to Woodford County for protection.

In a 5-1 vote late Monday, the Roanoke Village Board decided it was not economically feasible for the village to run its own department.

In 2007, the Village Board voted to create a police department, putting an end to a 27-year relationship with the Woodford County Sheriff's Department.

According to Trustee Jerry Hasler, the police department cost the village $150,000 a year. By contracting with the Sheriff's Department, Hasler said there would be a $54,000 savings to the village.

The central Illinois community has a population of about 2,000.