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Resident asks Barrington board to disclose scope, training and cost of private security traffic enforcement
Summary
A resident asked the Barrington Village Board to explain why a private security firm is enforcing traffic, whether guards had background checks and training, and how the arrangement is funded; the board said staff would follow up.
A Barrington resident on May 12 asked the Village Board to explain why a private security company has been assisting the Barrington Police Department with traffic enforcement and whether the guards received background checks, training or village oversight.
The request came during public comment from Ken Roosin, who said he has video and recorded interviews showing security guards making traffic stops and directing traffic. "I'd like to know how much was budgeted for the private security company that the village hired," Roosin said. "I'd like to know who that private security company is. I'd like to know if there was any background checks done on the actual security guards...and was there any type of training done by Barrington, either the village or the police department, to these security guards?"
President Karen Darch responded to Roosin during the public-comment period and said the board would accept the questions and determine which staff member should follow up. "Probably depends on what the question is, but I think we'll take it and figure out how...who responds and get back to you," Darch said.
Roosin asked for a follow-up contact and said he would provide video and recorded interviews as evidence. The board did not discuss or take any formal action at the meeting related to the village's use of private security; the transcript shows no motion, staff report, or vote addressing the matter during the session.
Why it matters: The questions raise oversight issues for village-public safety partnerships — who supervises contracted security, what powers guards are exercising in the field, what training and background checks are required, and who pays for the service. The board pledged a staff follow-up rather than answering on the spot.
Next steps: The transcript records the board's commitment to identify the appropriate responder; the resident said he expects the board to contact him. The meeting record does not specify a deadline, a staff assignee or any formal request for a report to the board.
