City police could have bigger role at parks

DIXON – The City Council tonight will take a first look at whether the police department also will patrol some of Dixon’s parks.

It also will vote on $2 million worth of improvements to North Galena Avenue, most of which will be paid for by the state.

The work would start in late April and stretch from the city limits, which is just past Lowell Park Road, to just before the Galena Avenue Bridge.

The city would be responsible for about $11,275, which would cover manhole and water valve adjustments.

While city police already respond to calls at the parks within city limits, it does not have jurisdiction in the eastern half of the Meadows and cannot enforce park ordinances.

Under the agreement, police would receive those abilities, and the park district will pay the department $8,000, which will cover the vehicles, gas and any other supplies needed to patrol the areas.

Supervision of Lowell Park, the Plum Creek Arboretum and Botanical Center and the bike path that extends from Lowell Park toward Polo would stay the same.

Currently, the parks are patrolled by Stewart Security, a private security firm. If action beyond a ticket is needed, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department responds.

“It’s quite a big difference to us that we won’t have to worry about it,” Park Board President Bill Ost said. “They’ll be able to circulate through the parks better than our private security organization.”

The 1-year agreement will be placed on file at tonight’s council meeting to be voted on as early as its March 5 meeting. It was unanimously approved by the Dixon Park Board last week.

“It does bring some income into the police department,” said Burke, who is in favor of the agreement.

Budgets have been tight for both the city and the park district.

The park district levies $20,000 for policing, but $5,000 pays for safety lighting and another $5,000 for miscellaneous expenses such as cameras. That leaves only $10,000 for labor costs.

A new agreement hasn’t been worked out yet with Stewart Security, but one probably is in the works, Ost said.