Monday, July 17, 2000
Deerfield may start own police
Township forum planned
By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP — A town meeting has been scheduled for Thursday to discuss whether the township should start its own police department.
The meeting, sponsored by Citizens for Quality Police Protection, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Kings High School auditorium.
Warren County Sheriff Tom Ariss and Col. Del Everett will answer questions and address data from a recent feasibility study conducted by Deerfield Township trustees. Deerfield Township Fire Chief William Kramer and Community Relations Director Dan Theno also will attendr the meeting.
Dorette Landis, a founding member of the citizens group,said she felt more public input is needed before a decision is reached by trustees.
“The public is not fully informed on this issue,” said Mrs. Landis. People she has talked to don't know much about it, she said, “other than trustees are discussing forming a police department.”
Mrs. Landis said there is a lot of information township residents need, including possible tax increases. She said meetings on the topic have been poorly advertised and poorly attended.
Mrs. Landis said she hopes to attract more than 100 people to Thursday's meeting. She said more than 3,500 fliers announcing the meeting are being distributed throughout the township.
“We feel like we have to get the word out about this before it's too late,” she said. “We feel like (trustee) Bill Morand has made up his mind already to go with a township-owned department, (trustee) Larry Backus is leaning toward joining him and (trustee) Tom Raga is on the fence.”
Mr. Theno said trustees are maintaining an open mind.
“The issue of a township police department is still under study. No conclusions have been drawn,” he said. “And to insinuate the trustees aren't listening to the people is not true.”
Trustees have given residents several chances to address the issue during township meetings, Mr. Theno said. He added the board is even considering holding a third public hearing before any decision is made.
Trustees are reviewing several alternatives, including: maintaining the current contract with the Warren County sheriff and improving communication with the department, or forming a township police department while maintaining limited services from the sheriff's office. The township also could form a police department while relying on the sheriff only for services such as record-keeping and jail service.
Trustees have said a township-owned police force could improve the quality of service and bolster the community's sense of identity. Trustees have also indicated it would give them more control over police matters.
Deerfield Township currently pays $926,000 a year for 16 sheriff's deputies. The cost is paid through a police levy that residents have been renewing since the late 1970s. It generates about $1.2 million a year.
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