Joint policing plans aired for town and village

By Patricia Bogumil

Interim Editor

Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling presented a proposal for 2013 police services to the Waterford Village Board Monday night.

At about the same time across town, Waterford Town Police Chief Tom Ditscheit offered the Waterford Town Board three options for joint town/village services the town police can provide in 2013.

• Schmaling’s proposal for 2013 would maintain the same number of deputy hours but cost the village $371,108, a 3.49 percent increase from the 2012 contract.

The increase comes from increased mileage and benefit costs, said Village Administrator Rebecca Ewald.

Monday night, the Village Board asked Schmaling to come back with a 0 percent increase proposal for 2013, she said, as well as a proposal for a 1.6 percent increase.

Also in the mix is an unsolicited bid received last month from a private firm called PRO-Tection LLC. Its material was sent to the personnel committee for review.

• Ditscheit’s proposals offer various man hour and cost options for joint policing services the Town Police can offer the village in 2013.

Ditscheit presented a preliminary draft proposal to the Town Board May 14 which would match the current hours of coverage now provided by the county, at a possible savings to the village of up to $30,000 annually.

Two additional options were reviewed by the Town Board Monday night. In a 4-1 vote, supervisors OKd moving forward with the joint policing idea, assuming Town Attorney Michael Dubis raises no serious concerns after reviewing the material.

The lone dissenter Monday night was Town Chairman Robert Langmesser.

“I think the Board should have looked more in depth at it to make sure what we’re proposing is not going to cost the town taxpayers too much, or the village,” said Langmesser.

After Dubis reviews the proposals, they are expected to then be forwarded to Village Administrator Rebecca Ewald, who will be asked to schedule a meeting for Village and Town Board members to meet together about the subject.

Monday night, Town Board members expressed support for the idea of a jolint and locally provided Waterford-wide policing plan, a subject that has been talked about for years, said Langmesser.

“I expressed my concerns about costs and benefits, but the Town Board didn’t see it my way,” he said.