Darien to vote on police coverage
DARIEN — The Village of Darien Police Department has been buried in legal issues recently.
On April 7, voters will get to formally jump into the discussion.
Voters will state whether they want village officers to continue providing round-the-clock police protection.
The question: "Should the village of Darien reduce 24-hour coverage by village of Darien police, therefore reducing the village of Darien budget and tax levy?"
The non-binding referendum will be a research tool as the board looks for ways to address budget concerns, board members have said.
The village budgeted $540,000 for police protection in 2009, Administrator Marc Dennison previously told The Janesville Gazette. Total operating expenses for the village are budgeted at $1.49 million.
The intent is not to eliminate the police department or even eliminate 24-hour per day police protection, board member Kurt Zipp has said. Zipp introduced the referendum question to the board in December and worked on the ad hoc committee that wrote the question.
The intent is to gauge how "passionate" residents are that village officers provide police services, Zipp said.
"Do the residents feel there shouldn't be any alternatives other than the village police providing 24-hour protection," Zipp said.
Police Chief Steve DeVoy was suspended with pay in December after village employees found surveillance cameras in the police department. In March, the board voted 5-2 to fire DeVoy.
A hearing to formalize that action is pending.
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Apr 7, 2009 at 10:19 p.m.
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Darien Village Referendum
Total
Vote For 1
Total Votes 355
YES 152
NO 203
Apr 4, 2009 at 12:09 a.m.
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cornchild you didn't know about the recent graffiti on downtown buildings by the Latin Kings gang?
Do you KNOW the history and MO about this gang? Do you LIVE here?
You will not GET a reliable source about crime statistics here since DeVoy has been gone. The boys in blue are doing their best, but they are being led by a tyrant who is impeding their efforts.
Apr 3, 2009 at 5:36 a.m.
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Where can I get current figures from a reliable source about crime in Darien since 1 December 08? I certainly haven't noticed a trend toward lawlessness since then.
Wispedteacher, besides the unconstructive namecalling of the acting chief, you imply that the department as a whole isn't functioning. That's really unfair to the officers on the street who are still doing the job even with the added political distractions.
Apr 3, 2009 at 5:08 a.m.
Apr 2, 2009 at 10:24 p.m.
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me2 - good info - thanks.
Apr 2, 2009 at 10:10 p.m.
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So I guess we're talking about the incidents that occurred on Steve DeVoy's watch. I assumed we are talking about the period since Maltese became acting chief. My mistake.
Apr 2, 2009 at 9:03 p.m.
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I think this information should shed some light on the subject. Looks like Chief DeVoy did his homework. Special attention to pages 20-22.
http://www.darienwi.us/vertical/Sites/%7...
Apr 2, 2009 at 8:39 p.m.
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No Cornchild they kill the blogs because people use people's names and are very nasty when doing so..
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The home invasions were listed in the family connections police report!
Apr 2, 2009 at 7:34 p.m.
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This is why they kill the blogs. I did some research, offered some information along with my viewpoint, and you use it as an opportunity to launch a rant against someone you don't like! How come I haven't read about home invasions on this website? Is the Gazzette not reporting it?
Apr 2, 2009 at 6:40 p.m.
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I forgot to mention the lack of newsletters lately since December. Furthermore that when they are published it appears the activity has DRASTICALLY dropped since December. Great leader we have in the position of "acting chief". If this is the kind of leader Maltese will be then maybe we'd be better off with the WCSO.
Apr 2, 2009 at 6:36 p.m.
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I'll bet the ONLY community in Walworth County that has less officers is the Village of Sharon. We need to compare their police activity reports against ours. Has anyone read the past newsletters from the department that announced that there were home invasions taking place while residents were present. I'll bet Maltese has been actively investigating those complaints - NOT. He's too busy wondering how he can become the next chief of police before the election! We're in trouble Darien.....
Apr 2, 2009 at 6:18 p.m.
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"...when we enjoy the benefits of more police coverage than many communities in the area." Give me a break! Almost EVERY community around even Lake Como has 24 hr coverage..
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I know I want to keep the coverage.. I want Darien to be a safe place for my family...
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We could cut costs by getting our chief back and getting rid of a "Sargent".
Apr 2, 2009 at 4:05 p.m.
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After having conversations with three board memebrs, two candidates, and a current PD memeber, I think the answer will probably be to cut the PD budget, but not the 24-hour coverage. Apparently we can do both.
If you think it's worth paying for 24-hour coverage (I certainly do) vote No on the referendum. But please don't whine about your taxes when we enjoy the benefits of more police coverage than many communities in the area.
Apr 2, 2009 at 3:42 p.m.
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NON-BINDING also means that the board can do whatever they want to contrary to the outcome of the referendum question!
Apr 2, 2009 at 3:42 p.m.
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Yes it is "non-binding" however if the residents of Darien do not VOTE to keep police coverage, then the board will use the referendum results to cut the department...
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Residents please VOTE responsibly .. Cutting the police force WILL NOT reduce taxes! Cutting the fat in the budget will!
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Also, do you really want to wait 10-15 minutes or longer for the county to come if you have an emergency?? I know I wouldn't!
Apr 2, 2009 at 12:26 p.m.
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For those who still can not figure it out: NON-BINDING
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