Silver Lake looks to sheriff for policing

By Gail Peckler-Dziki

Correspondent

Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth made a very simple statement to residents of Silver Lake recently.

“I am your sheriff,” he said. “I hold a constitutional office and I answer to the voters.”

Beth reminded about 70 Silver Lake residents of that April 14 at a public hearing held at Riverview Grade School regarding policing services for the village.

“You already pay taxes for our services,” Beth said, “and we show up when you need us.”

Beth outlined several different options for Silver Lake to contract with the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department for police services. One option is for 16.5 hours of coverage a day with a base cost of $275,079. A 20.5-hour per day option would cost $338,486.

The Silver Lake police budget current stands at $340,000 – about $100,000 less than last year. Budget constraints within the village have forced a number of different financial cuts – including going to a part-time police chief – and this move could save Silver Lake a considerable amount of money.

How much was the subject of some disagreement. An extra squad on Friday and Saturday nights could translate into an addition $20,000, and the estimated cost of the water patrol is $4,678 after Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reimbursement.

Using the current budget, some at the meeting felt the savings would be $65,000, while others felt it would be closer to $165,000.

But beyond just the possible financial savings, there were a number of other issues for Beth to address with last week’s audience.

In the last 12 months, KSD answered 425 calls in the village, while SLPD answered 1,197.

“We already know your village,” Beth said, “and there are always deputies nearby.”

One questioner wondered if “naughty” officers would be exiled to Silver Lake. Beth retorted that they fire “naughty” officers.

“We hand-pick the officers for Bristol and Paddock Lake,” Beth said. “We do rotate them out after about a year.”

One concern was that if the village does contract with KSD, dedicated patrol cars could be pulled to another location, leaving the village without protection.

“There isn’t a municipality that doesn’t require extra aid,” Beth said. “If there is an incident at B and 50, we call on your officers to stay on the scene until we arrive. If there is a larger incident in Silver Lake, we show up.”

Other expressed concerns included less coverage and water patrol.

Silver Lake police officer Chris Schneider commented that the officers use out of date vests. Outgoing Board President Sue Gerber took exception to that comment the following night at the regular board meeting, saying that the village reimburses officers for equipment purchases.

It was pointed out by trustee Mike Decker that with the current budget, Silver Lake didn’t have enough money to purchase enough ammunition to meet the state required twice annual shooting qualification.

Beth said he has room for the Silver Lake officers, provided they pass the required tests and make it though probation.

“We work to make sure they pass probation,” Beth said. “We already have a lot of time into an officer at that point.”

Any officer form SLFD that would be hired by the county would be at the bottom of the rooster as far as seniority, but they would be compensated with pay and vacation for the years of service they have.

Benefits to the officers, according to Beth, would be an immediate pay raise and the ability to learn other areas of the law enforcement field and to advance.


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