East Dundee trustee wants village to pay for home alarm systems

The Village of East Dundee, population just over 3,000, rarely graces the crime columns of local newspapers.

But a trustee says the potential for crime is enough to warrant the installation of alarm systems in the homes of village board members to protect village-issued laptop computers and the sensitive information they contain.

Trustee John Cichowski last week proposed the alarm systems at a meeting of the village's public safety committee, citing concern for the security of the village-owned laptop computer he uses to record notes and information at board meetings.

"I go to the board meeting on a Monday night and I won't open the laptop again until Thursday," Cichowski said. "My concern is that my laptop will stay in the briefcase and there is the chance of losing possession of it.

"We pay so much money for online security, why don't we have security for trustees who carry around the laptops that contain village business?"

The board's Public Safety Committee recently tabled the issue to allow Cichowski more time to explore the costs of installing and maintaining the alarm systems. But committee and village board members said the item would likely die at the committee level.

"It is not something that I can consciously recommend to the village board," committee Chairman Paul VanOstenbridge said. "There was not enough detail, and frankly, the police response in this village is wonderful and not a concern. I don't need taxpayers paying for my security."

Cichowski said he has never been threatened because of his elected position, and Police Chief Terry Mee said the department has not heard from any trustee with safety concerns based on their status.

Mark Fowler, executive director of the Northwest Municipal Council, a regional group representing 47 municipalities and one township in the northwest suburbs, said such a proposal has never crossed his desk.