Island Lake looking to security cameras at village hall

Visitors to Island Lake's village hall could soon find themselves on camera, if a plan being pushed by Mayor Debbie Herrmann progresses.

Herrmann has proposed adding four security cameras to village hall, which also houses the village-owned Creative Playtime Preschool.

Herrmann said she's been concerned about security at village hall since taking over as mayor more than a year ago.

"Many groups and organizations within the community utilize the building," she said.

No specific incident prompted Herrmann's concerns. It's better to be proactive "and be on top of this before (something) happens," she said.

The cameras would be placed in the main hallways and at the main entrance to provide surveillance of any activity in the building, Herrmann said.

She has no plans to install new cameras inside Creative Playtime or in the village boardroom. Video equipment that had been installed inside the boardroom was seized by the Lake County state's attorney's office in connection with its investigations into village business, Herrmann said, and the village isn't replacing them.

One vendor, Strategic Security Solutions of Willow Springs, has been asked for a proposal and cost estimate. That firm installed the cameras in the Island Lake police station, which is attached to village hall.

If the plan moves forward, the new cameras will be connected to the police department's existing security system and be monitored around the clock, Herrmann said.

The firm estimated the job would cost $1,888, Herrmann said. During a discussion of the proposal last week, trustees requested a more detailed quote, which officials will provide.

The cost would cover the purchase and installation of the cameras, cables and power supply. New monitors won't be needed, Herrmann said.

Trustee Don Saville called the proposal a good idea.

"In this day and age, you need security to protect the public," he said.

New security cameras are not specifically included in the recently approved budget for the 2011 fiscal year. Village officials talked about the possible need for layoffs and other cutbacks during budget planning sessions because of a perceived $250,000 deficit.

Herrmann said the cameras are needed and would "alleviate spending money on other areas."

The roughly $1,900 price tag is "cheap insurance," Saville said.

The village board could vote on the plan July 8.