Campton Hills police to aid township with increased presence

Campton Hills police plan to beef up their presence in three public parks owned and operated by Campton Township in an effort to end late-night activity and littering.

The village board on Tuesday approved a pact with the township that allows police to enforce all rules at township parks within the village, even if offenses don't rise to the level of criminal activity.

Chief Greg Anderson said officers already respond to calls for service in the three parks, but they previously were not tasked with patrolling the areas for after-hours park goers and litterbugs.

He said he doesn't expect the additional responsibility to put a strain on the department. "I don't think we'll be out there writing township tickets all the time," he said.

Village President Patsy Smith said the township has approached Campton Hills about also enforcing rules at several parks and public open spaces outside village borders. But she said she would not be in favor of that unless those properties end up being annexed into the village.

"That's something we're going to have to talk about," she said Tuesday.

In exchange for its service, the village will receive any revenue resulting from township citations or fines, Anderson said. The township parks are along Route 47 and Silver Glen and Brown Roads.