Kenyon, village staff discuss adding overnight deputy; costs and cruiser logistics remain unresolved

Kenyon College representatives and village leaders discussed restoring overnight law-enforcement coverage in the village, including the prospect of sharing costs for a second deputy.

Roger Wakeman, representing Kenyon, said campus safety and village staff see mutual benefits from a uniformed overnight deputy, citing longer response times overnight and local cut-through traffic concerns. The village’s current contract for daytime deputy coverage was described as roughly $120,000 without a cruiser; county personnel told the committee that a more realistic annual figure for dedicated overnight coverage would likely be $130,000–$140,000.

Fiscal Officer Diane Lay and committee members discussed budget implications and whether Kenyon would share costs. The Sheriff’s office indicated it had staff capacity to support a second deputy but that there would be associated costs and questions about whether the Sheriff would supply a cruiser or the village would need to provide one.

Committee members asked staff to explore contracting options, including creating a separate nighttime contract rather than expanding the existing daytime agreement, and to return with cost estimates and potential cost-sharing arrangements.

What happens next: Staff will continue discussions with Kenyon and the Sheriff’s office about service levels, costs and vehicle arrangements and will present options to Council for consideration.