(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — As provisions of Illinois’ criminal justice reform law, the SAFE-T Act, come into effect, concerns about the end of cash bail have been getting most of the headlines.
Lake Zurich Police Chief Steve Husack, though, said he's not only nervous about dangerous people being released. He’s also concerned about the services that will be needed to help the others who won’t be behind bars awaiting trial.
East Dundee Police Chief James Kruger said he’s worried about another provision, which states people detained and moved from one facility to another will have the right to three phone calls within three hours of the move.
Kruger said that will be an especially big pressure on small departments.
Related
Although the news coverage might sound like law enforcement officials are opposed to everything in the state’s SAFE-T Act, suburban police officials also said there are things to like.
The new bill also standardizes use-of-force policies for police officers. Husack said earlier concerns regarding those provisions have been addressed.
“Certainly the use of force, some of the things were a little extreme in the first version and now a trail of bills have come back around,” Husack said.
The law will also mandate all police departments to have body cameras for officers by 2025. Retired Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel said it’s expensive, but most chiefs are on board.
“Small communities, for sure, are going to have a difficult time, but there are grants out there, and I do believe that most municipalities, city managers, and elected officials know that it’s something important,” Weitzel said. “So you’re going to see all the agencies comply with that.”
He and the others said it’s generally accepted that the cameras are as beneficial to the officers as anyone else.
Law enforcement concerns about the Illinois SAFE-T Act take center stage during Sunday night's “At Issue” program, which runs at 9:30 p.m.
Related
Related
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!