Winfield police station has mold in basement

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Winfield police station has mold in basement

Department forced to shift some operations

Chicago Daily Herald - Chicago,IL*

By Jack Komperda

Daily Herald Staff

Published: 6/26/2008

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=212336

The Winfield Police Department this week relocated some of its

operations after mold spores were found growing in its basement.

Investigators from the Illinois Department of Labor on Tuesday took

air samples in the basement of village hall after an employee called

the agency complaining of the growing mold, Village Manager

Barlow said.

On Wednesday, officials said the mold likely was caused by water

seeping into the basement on May 24 while a water main project was

occurring in front of the building at 27W465 Jewell Road.

The police department's locker room, evidence room, lunch room and

several of its files were among the items located in the basement

space. For now, Barlow said, that area is off-limits to all

employees.

" We don't want our employees to be exposed to any more of this stuff

than they have to be, " Barlow said.

About half of the police department's 4,200-square-foot site

operates in the flood-prone basement.

The village hall's air-conditioning system has been shut off to

prevent circulation of any of the air in the basement to other parts

of the building.

As for the police department's locker room, Barlow said police

officers are either coming to work dressed in uniform or changing at

the nearby Winfield Fire Protection District headquarters.

The village also has installed dehumidifiers to help remove excess

moisture from the basement. All the carpeting from the basement

likely will be removed.

Village officials should know within the next week whether the

presence of the mold will force a relocation of the police

department and village hall staff. Both departments share space in

the building.

Barlow said alternate work locations haven't yet been identified.

" A lot of it depends on what happens in the next week, " Barlow

said. " If we have to make a rapid decision … we may set up trailers

for the staff. That can easily be set up over a weekend. "

Anjali Julka, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Labor,

declined to comment.

In the past, the police department has considered finding an

entirely new space for its operations.

Former Police Chief Kruger unsuccessfully lobbied the village

board in November 2005 for a new facility.

The last major village hall renovation in 1996 included the

construction of handicapped-accessible entrances and washrooms and

an expansion of police department offices.