Itasca leaves crime prevention post vacant

Itasca officials are vowing to continue community outreach programs, even as the police department leaves the post of crime prevention officer unfilled.

A recent retirement forced village officials to take crime prevention officer Rick Brogan out of his previous role and put him back on patrol full time. Village President Jeff Pruyn said constraints on Itasca's budget prevent hiring a new officer.

"We had to put (Brogan) back on the streets," Pruyn said. "And we are evaluating where we're going to go with the crime prevention position and what happens with it."

The crime prevention officer is responsible for organizing community programs such as Fight Like a Girl, a self-defense class for women; the annual National Night Out; and securing special events such as the current "What is Addiction?" exhibit on display at the Itasca Public Library.

Pruyn also credits Brogan with helping to bring the annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games to Itasca in 2011, a change from the festival's longtime venue in Oak Brook.

Although Pruyn said the police department is making decisions on how the crime prevention duties will be delegated to current officers, he said community programs are not at risk.

"We're confident we're going to be able to continue to do what we've been doing," he said.