Jackson Votes Against Beginning Process of Disbanding Police Department

Heh.

In Jackson, the board voted 5-2 Monday night against a resolution that would have started the process of dismantling the Jackson Police. More than 100 village residents who were jammed into a meeting room and adjacent corridor at Village Hall applauded the decision.

Village President Scott Mittelsteadt and Trustee Jeffery Brandner voted to start the negotiations with the sheriff’s department. Mittelsteadt said his support of negotiations was prompted by a desire to cut police costs.

But Police Chief Jed Dolnick said the outcome was a confirmation of the department’s work and relationship with village residents.

The vote came after a month of heated debate in the community, now decorated with “Keep Jackson Police” yard signs.

A county contract might have saved $200,000 or less in 2010.