Hello form Sgt. Michael Beatus and Deputy Ron Hain. We are the Community Policing Officers based at the Wasco Substation that covers Campton, Virgil, Saint Charles, Blackberry and Geneva Townships.
The following article presented below is information that the Kane County Sheriff’s Office approved for release by the Sheriff and the Union that represents the Sheriff’s Office employees.
Your Deputies are concerned for our and your Safety, “Please help us, help you!”
Kane County Sheriff received word from Kane County Board Chair Karen McConnaughay that 4 current Deputy positions were DELETED from the 2007 fiscal budget. This may result in layoffs of police officers. Furthermore, the board has eliminated the 2007 Sheriff’s vehicle budget further impacting the Kane County Citizens.
Please take a few moments to study the chart below, then consider some of these facts:
County Sworn Officers County Population
Kendall 90 79,514
Dekalb 41 97,665
Winnebago 110 288,695
McHenry 122 303,996
Kane 96 482,113
Source:Illinois State Police Uniform Crime Reporting
*McHenry County is only slightly larger in square miles than Kane County
*McHenry County has almost 180,00 less residents than Kane County
*McHenry County Sheriff’s Office employs 26 more deputies than Kane County
*Your Sheriff’s Office has not been approved to hire any additional deputies in 8 years.
*County Population has grown by almost 80,000 within the last 5 years
*County revenue has increased by 21.5%
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers:
Q. I see Kane County Police cars, but what are their specific duties?
A. The patrol cars you see on the road respond to calls for police service in the unincorporated areas of Kane County and in small communities that cannot afford their own police. They also assist city police agencies in emergency situations and support the other divisions within the Sheriff’s Office.
Q. How do I know if I live in “unincorporated” Kane County?
A. Generally speaking, if your address reads something like “3N123”, “40W100” or “1S200” then you live in an unincorporated area. The Sheriff’s Office is your primary police response.
Q. I live in the incorporated limits of a city in Kane County and we have our own police agency. Does the Sheriff’s Office provide me with any services?
A. Yes. The Sheriff’s Office coordinates the Major Crimes Task Force, which serves all of Kane County. Our evidence technicians routinely assist municipalities with investigations. Our warrants, narcotics and civil divisions serve all of Kane County as well.
Q. When does the Individually Assigned Squad program double manpower and how does it save in maintenance costs?
A. Deputies taking home their squads double manpower within the county for approximately one hour before and after each shift change. It also allows for faster emergency response as deputies respond from different locations in the county, instead of coming from the office in Geneva.
Each deputy’s individual squad lasts approximately four to five years, as opposed to fleet cars that are driven 24 hours a day and last only about one year.
Q. I know there are other services under the Sheriff, such as the jail and 911 center. What eliminations are they facing?
A. The 911 center is being evaluated by the Kane County Board Chairman to be privatized so the County does not have to deal with public safety issues. The 911 center serves 150,00 people and is critically understaffed. This short staffing has resulted in those already over-extended deputies being taken off the street to answer 911 phone calls.
We are proud to serve our communities and we strive to provide you the best police service possible. Now, the police are calling on you, the citizen, for help.
If you share our concern by the information we have presented, we urge you to contact your Kane County Board member.
You may located your board member at www.co.kane.il.us or call 630-232-5931
For additional information contact one of our substations: Northern Kane 847-683-7118,
Central Kane 630-587-1490, Southern Kane 630-851-4670