VILLAGE OF BIG BEND, Wis. — Days after nearly half the police force in Big Bend resigned, the Village’s board voted Thursday night to keep the department going and funded.
The move comes after the board originally voted back in September to disband the department as a cost-saving measure.
Now, the only full-time officer remaining is the acting chief, with five part-time officers rounding out the force.
Josh Brinkman is a residential electrician. His business is located in the Village of Big Bend. He said his employees who live in the area have been concerned, especially those with young children.
Brinkman said these employees feared the response time for an emergency might not be fast enough if the Big Bend Police Department lost its funding.
“If there ever has to be an emergency need, they have mentioned something about who, or what jurisdiction or town, is going to respond,” said Brinkman.
Bob Peterson is a resident of Vernon, which is about four miles north of Big Bend.
He ate lunch at Chubby’s Café on Friday, which is just down the road from the Big Bend police station. He said he understands the budget challenges the Village faces.
Peterson said he’s confident, though, that those challenges will be resolved.
“I feel safe here, and I think most do, so hopefully they can get all their problems straightened out,” said Peterson.
Spectrum News 1 spoke on the phone with Jeff Goodman, the president of the Big Bend Village Board. He said in a statement:
“We will definitely make sure the Village of Big Bend is protected. We have plenty of officers to cover all shifts. We have a great individual with Acting Chief of Police, Scott Sosnowski as the current leader of the department. We are keeping the police department and the fire department along with the police commission.”
Goodman also said the board just approved a 6% raise for police officers.
Spectrum News 1 also spoke with acting police chief, Scott Sosnowski. He said in a statement:
“The Big Bend Police Department is committed to keeping the village safe. We have had some resignations; I will not address the motives of the officers who resigned. We are in the process of hiring part time, and full-time officers as well as a full time Chief. This is an ongoing process and I request your patience.”
Sosnowski also said the department remains open and said all shifts are covered. He said he is thankful for the help from the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.