For Immediate Release
February 9, 2009
Contact Rick Roberts, Hanover Park Progress Chair
hanoverparkprogress@gmail.com

Making Public Safety Our Priority

HANOVER PARK, IL--"It is the goal of Hanover Park Progress to reallocate resources to provide more police officers.  This is the number one issue facing Hanover Park," commented Village President Rod Craig. "This is a matter of leadership, good policy, and political will, and this is an issue that, once elected, the members of Hanover Park Progress will address strategically."

Hanover Park Progress has made public safety its number one issue this election.  The leadership of the Hanover Park Police Department has indicated that police officer staffing levels are below acceptable levels.  The Police Department leadership has asked for 61 total officers, and there are presently 54 officers in the Department.  Bringing all needed officers to the streets of Hanover Park is not something that can happen over night, but adding officers strategically is something that is realistic and possible. 

"We plan to make public safety a priority," commented Rick Roberts, candidate for Village Trustee.  "Our Village is giving raises and bonuses to Department Heads, while they are laying off staff employees.  This speaks volumes about what some people see as the priorities of our Village government.  I'd say that adding more police officers is not currently a priority."

Hanover Park Progress has defined the following in their party platform:

Improve Public Safety

• Provide adequate police staffing that brings Hanover Park Police staffing levels up to level of neighboring communities
• Support the efforts of Mayor Craig's Crime Prevention Advisory Board
• Support the enforcement of the new housing (rental residential)  ordinances
• Support continued progress of CERT Team
• Emphasize community policing efforts by re-establishing the Neighborhood Watch Program, block leaders, "Officer Friendly" program & DARE program in our schools

"Every resident has the right to feel safe in their homes, in the streets of our town, and in the businesses of Hanover Park," said Ed Zimel, Candidate for Village Trustee.  "This is not an extraordinary request of our Village government.  This is something that Hanover Park Progress will make a reality."

The members of Hanover Park Progress believe the need of more police officers are paramount to providing a high quality of life.  Evaluating the Village budget line by line, is the first step toward reaching this goal.  Accurate budgeting and establishment of goals can reallocate funds to address public safety concerns.  Redirecting funds provides a strategy to bring in more officers without raising taxes.

"If we were on the Village Board, we would weigh all new budget expenditures against the need for more police officers," noted Bill Cannon, Candidate for Village Trustee.  "Supporting our police is a matter of priorities.  Some other needs may have to wait."

"Our police officers do a great job.  They work hard, and they put their lives on the line to protect us.  We owe it to them to give them the support they need," commented Eira Corral, candidate for Village Clerk.  "Our officers are stretched.  At times, there is only one officer on duty for our entire Village.  Our officers deserve better than this."

Hanover Park Progress has made public safety their top priority.  It is time to fully support for our police and fire departments and establish stronger community policing. It is time for progress in Hanover Park.

Vote for Progress on April 7th!
Rod Craig for Village President
Eira Corral for Village Clerk
Rick Roberts for Village Trustee
Ed Zimel for Village Trustee
Bill Cannon for Village Trustee