Some Rolling Meadows officials favor cutting police resource center funding

Facing a daunting 2009 budget, some Rolling Meadows aldermen have suggested cutting funding for the Police Neighborhood Resource Center, located at 2272 Algonquin Parkway.

"We still have a gang problem down there," said Alderman Glenn Adams at Tuesday's council meeting. "I drive through the parking lot and see cars that are nicer than mine. I see a lot of satellite dishes for cable. I think those services are being abused by the residents. I'm disappointed in the Hispanic community down there and have serious doubts about its funding."

City officials first established the Police Neighborhood Resource Center in the heart of the East Park Apartments in 1991 as a way to reach out to the mostly Spanish-speaking immigrant community. Social services, including Harper College programs, are housed in 10 converted apartments units by the East Park and Evergreen Meadows apartment buildings. Currently more than 1,000 residents live in the area, said City Manager Tom Melena.

The center was also opened to reduce crime in the area - which in the early '90s was rampant, said Rolling Meadows Police Chief Steve Williams.

City officials budgeted $367,606 for the resource center in 2009. The money pays for salaries of social workers, police, supplies and rent.

Williams is not in favor of cutting these funds, which makes up the center's entire operating budget.

"It's not a wise decision, but it's your decision," he told the council on Tuesday. "There's a reason why we opened the center in 1991. Back then there was prostitution in the alleys, burglaries and people were afraid to live there."

However, Aldermen Larry Buske called the center "a money pit."

"Those funds should be spread around this city," he said. "When the chief started the PNRC, it was meant to run for five to seven years. It's played itself out. Time to cut the strings."

Victoria Bran, the director of the center, declined to comment on Wednesday.

Next week, city officials will discuss ways to close a $1.2 million gap in the 2009 budget. To do that, city officials have suggested laying off city employees and cutting services to residents.

Other possible cuts include eliminating fire department dive, urban search and rescue teams, eliminating office hours at the fire and police departments, cutting branch chipping collection and sidewalk snow plowing, and reducing street plowing 25 percent.

About 74 percent of the city's operating budget pays for city employee salaries and benefits.

Finance officials blame the tough economy for the city's budget problems. This year, Rolling Meadows saw a 43 percent increase in fuel and vehicle costs, a 15 percent increase in the price of buying water from Chicago and a 9 percent increase in garbage pickup fees.

Rolling Meadows operates on a calendar year budget. The council will discuss the budget on Nov. 6 and hold public hearings later that month. The council will approve the budget in December.