Maple Park changes police on-call fees

Board also discusses possible need for police referendum in 2009

by Lynn Meredith

            The Maple Park Village Board on Tuesday approved a policy that would pay police officers a flat fee of $25 for one eight-hour shift within one 24-hour period, to be available to take calls when they are not on-duty. Officers would receive their regular rate of $16.50 per hour if they receive and respond to a call.

            During the discussion, Maple Park police officer Chuck Slater said he was skeptical that the four part-time officers, who have other jobs, will sign up for on-call.

            “So far, none of the other four people have expressed any willingness to work for (as low as $1.56, depending on how many hours they are scheduled to be on-call), and they are not thrilled about even thinking about working for $2.77 an hour (for a 9-hour shift),” Slater said.

            During certain hours, however, the village will be without an officer on-duty or on-call. The question came up whether the county is obligated to provide service during those off times.

            “We agreed in committee that there would be periods of time not covered by on-call and that the county will just have to cover it,” Village Board member Terry Borg said. “I pay on my tax bill for county sheriff protection, and that's what I expect to get. I have compared a number of tax bills—mine and those in unincorporated areas. I'm paying the same rate. If I'm paying the same rate, then I should get the same level of service.”

            Last month, Slater said the county would respond to emergency situations through I-Reach, a call that is put out to any available police unit in the area. It would respond, and then maintain a situation until a Maple Park officer arrived. In a non-emergency, it will only handle calls in the areas it contracts with for service.

            On Wednesday, Kane County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Pat Gengler clarified some of the jurisdictional issues faced by the village.

            "If there was a time when there was no Maple Park officer on duty, in a life-threatening situation, we are going to respond,” Gengler said. “We're not going to say we're not coming if it's an emergency, but if we get there and determine it's not really a life-safety situation, then we are going to refer it back to Maple Park."

            As an example, Gengler referred to the villages of Pingree Grove and Campton Hills, which both recently started full-time police departments.

            With Pingree Grove and Campton, “the sheriff (Pat Perez) told everyone the same thing: You need to provide services for your citizens, but if you need help, we're still coming to provide services," Gengler said.

            One issue that could potentially complicate matters is the fact that the Kane-DeKalb County line runs through the village. However, Gengler said that in emergency situations, the Kane County Sheriff’s Department would not let the county line cause problems.

            "Maple Park has the issue of the county line going through town. They are right on the line. We would respond and figure out jurisdiction later," Gengler said. "We would not let jurisdiction compromise safety."

            Financial committee chairman Kathy Curtis said the village's general fund has been taken down below $200,000 and that the village must dip into its reserves to pay the current rate of $4.50 an hour for on-call police coverage. She said the board never approved that rate to begin with.

            “We can't afford $4 an hour any more. It's a reality check,” Borg said.

            Trustee Mark Delaney proposed doubling the tax structure the next time there's a referendum.

            “If you want police protection, then pay for it,” Delaney said.

            President Ross Dueringer agreed that the board should look into asking the taxpayers for more money at the consolidated election in 2009.

09/05/2008