By Karen Haave
Crete officials have updated the village ordinance allowing the appointment of Auxiliary Police officers.
“The revision to the auxiliary police ordinance was mostly an update to better clarify powers and duties, as well as the hiring and training standard of an auxiliary officer,” Trustee Mark Wiater explained after the village board meeting. “Most of what is in our ordinance mirrors State Statute, which changes frequently. 
“The Police Chief felt having it spelled out clarified the process. Chief Scott Pieritz worked closely with our attorneys to develop this ordinance,” he said, adding, “Currently we only have one Auxiliary Officer.”
In his report during the board meeting, Chief Pieritz said he has been “working with the village attorney on updating and amending our ordinance on this matter.” The revised ordinance allows the village president, with advice and consent of the board, to appoint auxiliary officers “as corporate authorities from time-to-time, deemed necessary.”
The ordinance stipulates auxiliary officers will carry a firearm only with permission of the police chief and only after completing the state-certified 40-hour Mandatory Firearms Training Course. Auxiliary officers will not be considered to be members of the regular village police department.
At the same time, their identification symbols will be “different and distinct” from village police officers. Their duties will be directing traffic, aiding the control of natural or man-made disasters, aiding in the case of civil disorder, participating in ongoing police department training, and “other duties that may be assigned by the police chief.”
Candidate screening is stringent, including skills testing, employability assessment, interviews, reference checks, medical exam, psychological exam, polygraph exam, drug screen, “and other verifications.”
According to the ordinance, they are prohibited from consuming or using cannabis.
The revisions, Chief Pieritz said, “puts the ordinance in compliance with state law and ILETSB (Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board). I ask the board take action and vote on the proposed ordinance.”
A motion was made by Trustee Holly Milburn and seconded by Trustee Steve Bruns to adopt Ordinance 2024-13 to update the already-existing Police Ordinance allowing the appointment of Auxiliary Police Officers. 
The motion passed unanimously.
In other business during the August 12 meeting, the board:
  • Heard Trustee Stephen Johnson report work continues on the State Street water tower. Sandblasting and metal work is complete, and painting is scheduled to begin soon. 
  • Learned in Trustee Steve Bruns’ report that the paving work in town is complete, and he’s happy with the final results. 
  • Heard Trustee Holly Milburn express thanks to the Crete Emergency Management Agency for their assistance in locating a missing gentleman in the Crete area this past week. Police Chief Scott Pieritz also commended Director Ryan Allison for establishing the command center in the early phases of the search.
  • Heard Trustee Mark Wiater report he has received closeout paperwork on the state grant for the purchase of a new fire truck.
Also during the meeting, a letter was received from the Crete Lion’s Club requesting permission to hold their annual Candy Day for the Blind on September 27 and 28. The board approved the request. Illinois Lutheran School requested permission to conduct their annual Bike-a-Thon and Bike Safety Event on September 22, from noon until 5 p.m. The request also was asking for the closure of Elizabeth Street between Cass and Division Streets for their event. The board approved both requests. 
Under Committee and Department Reports, Village Administrator Michael Smith said the new bid opening for the Benton Street water main will be September 3.
Police Chief Scott Pieritz said the department received a $20,000 grant through the Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program to target numerous different violations. He reported enforcement will begin on vehicle sticker violators. He also will be bringing back the Police Blotter information, to keep residents updated on different crimes occurring in the village.
Videographer Nick Borrell is working on a solicitor video. He also is covering a competition with The Mixing Bowl Bakery and department heads from the Fire, Police, EMA, and DPW to pick a favorite cookie. More information will be available in the coming days.
In another matter, Village Clerk Deborah Bachert  read a letter from Village President Michael Einhorn, who is undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Einhorn’s letter thanked and expressed appreciation to members of his staff for stepping up in his absence.
“President Einhorn is feeling good and continues to receive good progress reports for the doctors,” Trustee Mark Wiater said later. “He had an extended stay in the hospital for treatment. 
“I talk to him every day. He’s feeling good and is very engaged in the operation. It’s important to say again, he is still performing the duties he was elected to carry out,” Wiater emphasized. “If you called his cell, he would answer or call you back, just like he always has in the past.”