Town police, not county deputies, cop the job
By Patricia Bogumil
Editor
With two members abstaining, the Waterford Town Board voted Monday night in favor of providing local police services locally rather than through the county sheriff’s department.
Supervisors Tim Szeklinski and Tom Hincz voted with Chairman Robert Langmesser to retain the town’s police department.
Supervisors Lisa Jeschke, – whose husband is a town officer – and Dale Gauerke – whose wife is a town police clerk – abstained at the suggestion of town attorney Mike Dubis, due to the issue of a possible conflict of interest.
The Board’s decision follows a presentation made in June by Racine County Sheriff Chris Schmaling, who touted the cost and coverage benefits that would accrue if the town signed a police services contract with his department and shut down the local department.
Before taking a vote Monday night, the Board referred to a two-page, 17-point document entitled “Reasons for Staying with Local Police” that Langmesser prepared, with input from supervisors.
The points include: budgetary advantages (“In 2012, salaries and operating costs were budgeted $18,000 less than 2005); quality of services; liaison/cooperation with the schools and other town departments; and local control (“Our Board selects officers who work in the Town. Under the sheriff, our Board would have little say in the matter.”)
(See page xx for the full 17 points discussed).
Gauerke added an additional reason to the mix Monday night. County deputies no longer pick up abandoned or otherwise unwanted animals that are at large, he noted.
“But our officers do. I think it’s important that our own department continue to offer that service.”
Langmesser said he appreciated Schmaling making an offer, “but I just don’t think it would be a benefit to us to do that.”
Besides town police continuing to offer services throughout Waterford township, a proposal is also being offered to expand those services to include the Village of Waterford.
Monday night, Chief Tom Ditscheit attended the Village’s Board meeting, discussing a plan offering three police coverage options for village officials to consider.
Schmaling also attended that meeting Monday night, to discuss options for 2013 police coverage for the village, which currently contracts with his department.
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