Help Hollow save cop jobs

Residents of Sleepy Hollow who are enjoying the usual summer activities may be unaware that their police protection is on the budget chopping block.

The village faces a budget shortfall of over $225,000 for next year, and the board is considering drastic cuts to the police department to make up the difference. One proposal reduces the full-time officers from seven to two, which might mean only one officer on duty during the day, and no police officer on duty from midnight to 8 a.m. Even with the help of a few part-time officers, this represents an unacceptable risk to the safety of every resident and to the officers.

The handful of residents who have heard about this are against gutting the police department; we feel that our neighbors might be willing to step up and donate money to preserve services until such time as a referendum can be held to address funding issues. While we realize that property taxes are high, on average only some $400-plus goes to the village to fund village services: police protection, street maintenance, snow plowing, water line service, etc.

The village board has agreed at our request to wait until August before making the cuts to see if residents value around-the-clock police protection enough to voluntarily contribute money to bridge the funding gap.

We are asking every household in the village to write a check for $200, made out to the Village of Sleepy Hollow, with "Save SHPD" written on the memo line. If you can't do $200, make it for $100 or whatever you can afford. Checks can be dropped off at the village hall, in the water bill drop box, or mailed to Save SHPD c/o the Village of Sleepy Hollow, 1 Thoroughbred Lane, Sleepy Hollow, IL 60118. More information can be found on the website at save-shpd.com.

Sleepy Hollow residents who don't like the idea of very limited police protection should attend the next board meetings at 7:30 on July 19 and Aug. 2 to speak up, write a letter to the board and pass the word to their friends and neighbors - otherwise, your next call for police help may find you on the equivalent of call waiting.

Carol Grom

Sleepy Hollow