08/05/2026
There appears to be some misinformation circulating regarding the proposed police services agreement between the Villages of Erie and Albany, and we would like to provide accurate information.
First, this proposal is not new. It has been discussed publicly during open board meetings in both Erie and Albany for several months. Residents have had multiple opportunities to attend meetings, ask questions, and hear the details of the proposal. While a social media post was drafted, Albany just made their official vote on the agreement on Monday evening, and we did not wish to overshadow the National Night Out event yesterday.
Under the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement, the Village of Albany will provide approximately $150,000 annually, along with the use of its existing police equipment, including patrol vehicles, radios, and other essential law enforcement resources. These funds are dedicated to supporting police operations and expanding staffing.
This partnership allows the Erie Police Department to increase staffing—not reduce it. Erie recently hired a new full-time police officer who graduates from the police academy this month and is actively moving forward with hiring an additional full-time officer. These additions, combined with Albany's financial contribution, will allow us to transition from periods where officers have traditionally been on call and responding from home to a goal of providing continuous 24 hours a day, 7 days a week police coverage for both communities.
Contrary to some claims, this agreement does not reduce police presence in the Village of Erie. Erie residents will continue to receive dedicated police services, while the increased staffing provides greater flexibility, improved officer availability, enhanced backup, and more consistent coverage for everyone.
Like many small-town police departments throughout Illinois, both communities face increasing challenges with recruitment, retention, and the rising costs of providing professional law enforcement services. Rather than waiting until those challenges become a crisis, Erie and Albany have chosen to work together to preserve and strengthen local policing.
This cooperative partnership provides benefits for both communities, including:
• Increased police coverage and availability
• Expanded staffing and improved operational stability
• Continued ordinance and code enforcement
• Professional criminal investigations
• Community-oriented policing and proactive problem-solving
• Better utilization of personnel, equipment, and taxpayer resources
This agreement is about strengthening public safety, supporting our neighboring community, and ensuring that local police services remain sustainable well into the future. We encourage anyone with questions to review the public board meeting discussions or attend future meetings to learn more about the agreement and ask questions directly.
