Chief: Grayslake has enough police for 2 towns

Grayslake Police Chief Larry Herzog said he has enough officers on his current staff to take over patrolling neighboring Hainesville later this month.

Herzog's comments Wednesday came a day after Hainesville Trustee Kevin Barrett said he doubted Grayslake could police another town without adding officers. Barrett also said he doesn't see how Grayslake could financially afford to hire more police.

Grayslake has 33 full-time cops and two part-timers. Hainesville's roughly 3,400 residents and about 50 businesses will become a fifth patrol beat added to coverage of Grayslake and its 20,030 residents and businesses.

"We believe, with our current personnel, we can work harder and we have some sufficient flex time, if you will, to cover Hainesville," Herzog said.

Hainesville Mayor Linda Soto said overtime is another way Grayslake will ensure full staffing for both towns. Grayslake is expected to replace the 2-year-old Hainesville Police Department around July 15.

"Grayslake is currently offering little or no overtime to their officers," Soto said. "If you talk to most police officers and most police departments, they love overtime. They almost count on overtime as part of their regular, annual income."

The Hainesville village board Tuesday voted 5-1 in favor of a three-year contract for Grayslake to provide police service. Grayslake will have five to seven cops on duty for both villages at any given time.

With the fifth patrol beat, Barrett said, Hainesville will account for 20 percent of Grayslake's patrol duties.

"I don't know how they're going to handle this without hiring more bodies, considering that they're putting the 20 percent drain on resources," said Barrett, who cast the lone vote against contracting with Grayslake.

Grayslake will provide around-the-clock patrol service. Barrett favored a competing bid from the Lake County sheriff's office.

Contracting with Grayslake should save Hainesville about $300,000 this year. Hainesville Police Chief Wallace Frasier said about $1.1 million would have been needed to move the department out of village hall with full-time officer staffing.

Hainesville will pay $596,000 for patrol service and a $25,000 startup fee to Grayslake this year. Herzog said Hainesville's money will help cover necessities for police staffing already on board in Grayslake.

"It assures I can provide my Grayslake police officers proper training," Herzog said.

Including a separate bill for dispatching, Hainesville's total police cost with Grayslake will be about $712,000 in a village budget of roughly $2.92 million.

Grayslake Village Manager Mike Ellis said the deal with Hainesville will be evaluated as it progresses. He said more officers will be hired if deemed necessary.

Herzog said Grayslake police are working on how best to incorporate the Hainesville name on officers' uniforms and squad cars.