By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
With one week before the monumental switchover, officials in the Village and Town of Waterford are gearing up for a new era in law enforcement services.
The Waterford Village Board in early June decided to unwind a decades-long arrangement that called on a Racine County Sheriff’s deputy to patrol the village. Beginning Jan. 1, the Town of Waterford’s established police force will patrol the village.
Village Administrator Rebecca Ewald reported on the groundwork for the imminent changes at a Village Board meeting Dec. 14. Ewald has been instrumental in coordinating the transition, alongside two of the village’s seven board members – Jerry Filut and Tamara Pollnow.
The town’s police chief, Tom Ditscheit, also has been coordinating the effort from that municipality’s end.
The size of the town’s police force has grown to accommodate the changes. Five new officers – four full-time and one part-time – have joined the department. Among them is Kayla Demarasse, who was disciplined in the spring after discharging her weapon into a pond after allegedly getting drunk at a banquet.
Demarasse’s case drew attention this spring, but Ditscheit said recently that she had successfully completed counseling and had been hired as a full-time officer.
Others who received promotions or were hired include: John Nelson, Bill Chesen, Jeremy Halliday, Anthony Floreani, Adam Nelson, Bill Burinda, Sergeant Matt Johnson and Mark Sorensen.
Filut said the recruitment process was very competitive. About 100 officers applied for the available positions.
“Five very qualified people have joined the department,” Filut said. “I think we’ve got some very fine people.”
On the village’s end, officials are hoping the new arrangement will enhance relations with local schools. The police force has been known to work closely with the one school – Washington-Caldwell’s Washington School – in the town, and village officials are hoping that relationship can be extended to the village’s numerous schools.
One of the largest questions surrounding the debate in who should provide law enforcement services is cost. Ewald said she will deliver the board a detailed report in late January or early February as the new arrangement gains traction.
Editor Jennifer Eisenbart contributed to this story.
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Cost comparison would be great! TOTAL COST, including Chiefs, support staff and dispatching? Benefits, insurance, including cost of liability insurance the Village must pay, vehicles and related expenditures,over the next five years! (expect tickets to increase to pay for those expenses)
“Very Competitive” gives you Demarasse and Halliday? You can’t tell me there were not other well qualified, clear background individuals. What a joke
The cost increase in 2016 will be astronomical! Can’t wait to see the numbers! And I feel bad for the town taxpayers. I’m sure their board didn’t realize the increased costs associated with administration of the contract, the payroll, and other management related issues they are footing the bill for. The village and town are both getting it stuck to them to appease a good ol’ boys pat on the back pipe dream…
This is horrible! taxes have gone up 14% in the village. Why do we need this extra policing???? Doesn’t make sense. Village of Waterford Board needs to be banished. Please remember to get out and vote these knuckleheads off the board.