Friday, May 19, 2000
Deerfield divided on police
Study assesses cost of starting township force
By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DEERFIELD TWP. — Leaders here say public opinion, not money, could determine whether the township forms its own police department.
But some residents say dollars and cents will play a big role in their decision-making process. Already this township of 20,000 appears to be divided into two camps.
Supporters of Deerfield's police initiative say a police force would give the township added identity, provide residents with better service, and give trustees more control over law enforcement issues.
Opponents, however, worry that increased taxes could result from such a move.
$1.5 million a year
Township officials Tuesday took a more in-depth look at starting a police department by reviewing a one-month feasibility study conducted by Indianapolis police consultant Jim Campbell.
The report showed a township owned-and-operated police department with about 16 officers would cost almost $1.5 million a year. Deerfield Township gets about that much from a police levy that residents have been renewing since the late 1970s.
Deerfield Township uses that tax money to pay $926,000 a year for 16 deputies under a contract with the Warren County Sheriff's Office. The money also pays for the contracted deputies' uniforms, guns, vehicles and base of operations.
The sheriff's office provides $247,000 more in management, clerical serv ices and training — costs the township would have to absorb if it started a department.
“The proposed budget numbers are fairly close to what we currently pay the sheriff,” said Dan Theno, Deerfield Township's administrator of development and community relations. “With that in mind a lot is going to depend on public attitudes toward the matter. If there is public support I think we would seriously look at forming our own police department.”
Estimate questioned
But residents such as Del and Dorette Landis aren't convinced a township police department is the way to go.
“There are other ways of building community identity without spending so much money,” said Mr. Landis, an 11-year resident and Kings Local School Board member. “I think it is totally unnecessary. I think the sheriff is doing a good job and we are getting a tremendous value out of him. This is just going to end up costing taxpayers more money.”
Mrs. Landis added: “I think there are some intangible, hidden costs that trustees aren't considering like start-up costs, staffing, salaries, benefits, liability insurance, maintenance, equipment and training.”
Resident Jay Feinberg questioned whether Deerfield Township's fledgling police department would be able to attract quality personnel.
“That's a legitimate and probably my biggest concern,” said Deerfield Township Fire Chief William Kramer, who is leading the police effort. “But I do think we would be able to recruit some top-quality people, just as we did with our fire department.”
Chief Kramer said some of those officers could come from the sheriff's office.
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