During the recent Village Board meeting in Campton Hills, significant discussions centered around public safety and funding for law enforcement tools. The police department announced the successful acquisition of a grant for new tasers, which will be provided at no cost to the village. This grant, totaling $9,411.60, was awarded as part of a competitive process where 404 agencies applied for a share of $32 million, with only 223 receiving funding.

The new tasers are crucial for officers, providing a non-lethal option in their toolkit, especially in rural areas like Campton Hills where backup may not be readily available. The police department highlighted that the previous tasers were nearing the end of their five-year lifespan, making this grant particularly timely. The only ongoing cost associated with the new equipment will be approximately $960 per year for data storage.

In addition to the taser grant, the department is also pursuing a $650,000 recruitment and retention grant aimed at smaller agencies with limited resources. This grant is vital as the current officer-to-resident ratio in Campton Hills stands at 0.71, significantly below the FBI's recommended rate of 2.3 officers per 1,000 residents. The police department expressed optimism about their chances of receiving this funding, given their alignment with the grant's criteria.

These developments reflect the village's commitment to enhancing public safety while managing costs effectively, ensuring that officers are equipped with the necessary tools to serve the community efficiently.