"We're not going to have it," said Sgt. Kevin O'Connell. "We're going to hold off for another year before we do another one."

According to O'Connell, the recent demolition of the library building, which hosted the haunted house at Graceland Avenue and Thacker Street, is not a factor in the decision to forego the event this year. Franczak & Associates purchased the property for $5 million to demolish the library and build 118 condominiums.

"We've been offered different locations, but we've got to look practically at how often we do this," O'Connell said.

He said the event is planned on volunteer time, and the planning usually begins by mid-summer. The event is "labor-intensive," O'Connell said, and police do not want their officers burning out.

Police Chief Jim Prandini told the Journal last November that "everybody involved with this [haunted house] works so hard that they really are worn out by the end."

The previous Haunted House in Des Plaines drew 5,250 visitors and raised $42,000. The majority of the house characters were played by the Police Explorer Post. Attractions included a Freddy Kruger boiler room, dolls hanging from the ceiling, a car coming to life and a tent full of demented clowns.

The Haunted House typically raises about $30,000 for the Police Explorer Post, which is comprised of young adults that aspire to careers in the police department. Advisors train the students on skills such as traffic accident investigations, building searches and arrest techniques.

O'Connell said the post has plenty of funding for the moment.

Police officer Tara Baggott has said the Haunted House could be turned over to the Northwest Suburban Boy Scout Council.

However, O'Connell said a final decision on next year's Haunted House's will be made closer to Halloween.