State lawmaker wants to dump Cook County Forest Preserve District police

As a way to reduce what he says is ineffective and redundant government entities, state Rep. Fred Crespo of Hoffman Estates announced this week that he is sponsoring legislation transferring the duties of the Cook County Forest Preserve District police to the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

"After the unfortunate incident last summer where a woman was harassed at a forest preserve, it became clear to me that the Cook County Sheriff's Office is better equipped and trained to deal with criminal activity or disturbances at forest preserves than a separate police force," Crespo said. "Transferring the duties of the forest preserve police to the sheriff will not only better protect people visiting forest preserves, but will save millions of taxpayer dollars."

Crespo, a Hoffman Estates resident, represents the 44th House District.