Palos Park Police Department Nominates Sergeant John Sawyer for the 2010 Mothers Against Drunk Driving Heroes Award

Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk is pleased to announce that Palos Park Police Sergeant John Sawyer, who serves as the catalyst and cornerstone in the Palos Park Police Department’s efforts to reduce drunk driving, is being nominated for 2010 MADD Heroes Award.

Sergeant’s Sawyers efforts have served as a way not to arrest people, but to deter people from committing DUI. Sergeant Sawyer makes our roadways safer each day with the goal of reducing unsafe driving behaviors, reduce impaired driving and aggressive driving behaviors and to keep Palos Park’s roads as safe as possible.

John Sawyer exemplifies the well rounded officer who understands that traffic safety is just one component of overall public safety, but an extremely important one. Additionally Sawyer is key to the success of Palos Park’s efforts by maintaining a continued focus on core components of law enforcement, prosecution and education/public awareness.

He also strives to support the prosecution component and ongoing development of education and public awareness to keep the issue out in front of the public and oversees bi monthly drunk driving crackdowns, and organizing saturation patrols that target impaired driver and coordinating sobriety checkpoints.

Palos Park Police Department Participates in Operation Save 100
The Palos Park Police Department is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety and other local law enforcement agencies in Operation Save 100 — a program that could save 100 lives and $100 million for the state. Palos Park Police are one of 400 law enforcement agencies asked to participate by IDOT.

The goal of the project is to have at least 100 less fatalities on Illinois roads this year as compared to last year. The National Safety Council said the average cost per motor vehicle fatality is more than $1 million, which means this project has the potential of saving the state $100 million or more.

If Illinois has less than 1,000 fatalities on its roadways this year, it will set a historic record by experiencing the fewest motor vehicle fatalities in one year since 1921. If Illinois reached its goal, it will join a small group of states that have experienced less than 1,000 highway fatalities.

Police Commissioner Dan Polk said Palos Park Police are committed to preventing death and injury by stopping impaired, distracted and aggressive driving, and ensuring motorists wear seat belts.

Operation Save 100 officially began Nov. 12 and will run through the end of 2009.

States Attorney Anita Alvarez presents the COPS their Community Service Award.

PALOS PARK POLICE COMMISSIONER DAN POLK REMINDS PEOPLE TO VISIT READY.GOV

HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY NAPOLITANO AND FEMA ADMINISTRATOR FUGATE UNVEIL NEW ADS TO ENCOURAGE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS*

WASHINGTON--Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today joined with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate and the Ad Council to launch "Ready Campaign "public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to encourage all Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies, kicking off September's National Preparedness Month.

"Preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins with the American people," said Secretary Napolitano. "These public service advertisements highlight the simple steps everyone can take to prepare for disasters, enhancing the safety and security of our country."

"Emergency response is a team effort, and the most important member of that team is the public," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "The truth is, the more the public does now to prepare, the better we can respond in the future. That's why we are launching PSAs, encouraging Americans to visit Ready.gov and learn how they can do their part to prepare."

Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk has announced the New
E-Report Citizen Report Form ~ Bad Driver Report

The Citizen Report form is on the Palos Park Police Department web site and can be faxed or emailed to the Department for an officer to follow up on. The bad Driver Report can be used by citizens to report hazardous drivers, such as those driving reckless, speeding, unsafe lane changes, failing to stop, and drinking and driving.

The Citizen Report Form-Bad Driver Report is another step toward a “greener” Palos Park paperless environment. The form is self explanatory and allows people to make police aware of potentially dangerous drivers. It also make the potentially danger drivers aware that other’s are concerned about their driving habits.

There are three way to relay the information to police. You may print this document and fax it to (708) 448-0650, or you may drop the form off at the Palos Park Police Department, 8999 West 123rd Street Palos Park, IL 60464. The easiest way to file it our on line and e mail it as an attachment to jmiller@palospark.org.

Once received an officer will then track down the addresses and telephone numbers of the alleged offending motorists, and speak with the drivers or their parents. No citations will be issued.

For more information on the program contact Chief Joe Miller at 708 671 3770 or jmiller@palospark.org.

Palos Park Police Department to present Gold Star award to resident Dean Vallas

On September 14, 2009 Palos Park Police Commissioner will present the Gold Star award to Palos Park resident Dean Vallas, who on July 8, 2009 noticed a suspicious vehicle cruising his neighborhood, and obtained the vehicle information. Vallas then contacted the Palos Park Police Department to report a suspicious person / vehicle.

Once Palos Park Police arrived in the area they canvassed the neighborhood looking for the vehicle. Unable to locate the vehicle, a patrol officer obtained a phone number for the registered owner based on the information Vallas provided. The officer called the owner in Mount Prospect and never received a call back.

Later that day, Vallas’s neighbor reported their home burglarized. Officers working other police departments subsequently arrested the burglary offender, Asad Abdurrahman. The entire case was developed and led to Abdulraham’s arrest because Dean Vallas decided to be a good neighbor!

Police commissioner Dan Polk said: "It's great that members of the public are prepared to help the police and be alert to suspicious activity in their neighborhood.

See It, Hear It, Report it.

PALOS PARK POLICE COMMISSIONER DAN POLK ANNOUNCES CHIEF JOE MILLER TO ATTEND NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S CENTER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TEN MONTH SENIOR MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.

The Senior Management Leadership series offers high-quality professional development as well as an opportunity to network with other law enforcement executives while learning about current law enforcement issues.

The Senior Management Leadership series benefits both newly appointed chiefs and deputy chiefs as well as experienced senior law enforcement executives who are looking for reputable, university level professional development.

The Senior Management Leadership Program sessions address issues critical to law enforcement executives. Session topics include managing high profile investigations, preventing wrongful convictions, and budgeting in a stressed economy.
Some of the programs presenters will include Superintendent Phil Cline (Ret.), Chicago Police Department, The Center for Wrongful Convictions, Northwestern University, Sheriff Gary Raney, Ada County, ID Sheriff’s Office, Chief John King, Gaithersburg, MD Police Department, Mr. Cortez Trotter, President and CEO, Trotter Consulting Group, Ms. Jessica Vaughan, Center for Immigration Studies and Commissioner Charles Ramsey, Philadelphia, PA Police Department.

Chief Miller is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and their Police Executive Management Program.

Palos Park Police Department Citizens on Patrol Service (COPS)
Win the 2009 Cook County Crime Stoppers Crime Prevention Award.

Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk is pleased to announce that the Village of Palos Park COPS group, which has existed just less than ten years, has won the 2009 Crime Stoppers Award. The COPS group led by Tom Crowhurst of Palos Park defines the tremendous impact a volunteer resident group can have on proactive crime prevention.

Currently members patrol our community with a side band radio to communicate with patrol officers and a cellular phone to communicate with our dispatch center. They are an additional set of eyes and ears and report suspicious activity, power outages, motorist assist, etc… These volunteer members of our community serve as an invaluable asset to making our community a safer place to live and work.

The COPS will receive their award at the Cook County Crime Stoppers Annual Awards diner on Thursday evening September 10, 2009 at the Marriott Michigan Avenue.

Polk said, “We are elated that the Cook County Crime has recognized the community spirit exhibited by the men and women of the C.O.P.S. program. They are an enhancement to our ability to serve the public and avoid potential problems before they occur, by simply having more eyes and ears watching over Palos Park.”

Palos Park Police Officer Honored by Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorist
Officer Tony Loiacono Named one of AAIM’s Top Cops!

Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk has announced that Palos Park Police Officer Tony Loiacono has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorist (AAIM) in recognition of his exceptional DUI enforcement efforts.

Every year hundreds of people are killed and thousands severely injured as a result of alcohol and drug-related crashes in Illinois. It takes only seconds to become a victim – without warning or choice. Impaired drivers make choices.

PALOS PARK POLICE CADETS ASSIST ICE CREAM LOVERS
Palos Park police commissioner Dan Polk has announced that the Palos Park Police Cadets will again expand their service to the community during summer evenings.

This summer will be the eighth summer that the Palos Park cadets will assist children and adults alike cross the busy intersection of 123^rd St. at 86^th Ave.

As we experience the onset of warmer weather, summer evenings in Palos Park include large numbers of visitors coming into the community for some world famous ice cream from the plush horse located at 123^rd and 86^th Ave.

Police Chief Joe Miller said, “We get guests of all ages and from all over coming into Palos Park on summer nights and we felt this would be an opportunity to ensure the safety of pedestrians in the area by having a police presence. This also gives the cadets a chance to showcase their program to people from all over Chicago land.”

The Palos Park Police Cadet program is open to teens between 14-20 years old, who are interested in exploring a career in public service. Anyone interested in the program should contact cadet commander Ross Chibe at 671 3770.

Palos Park Police Department Partners with Transfiguration Church to Explore Police Chaplaincy program

The chaplain brings experience, training and skills to the tragedy that are as specialized as the law enforcement resources every officer develops with training and experience.

As a team, both chaplain and officer make an important difference in the lives of persons touched by tragedy. We work together.

Chaplains represent a wide variety of religious traditions and levels of professional preparation and endorsement. But when the chaplain is working in the police world, each is "chaplain" for everyone, not the religious leader of a particular tradition serving a particular congregation or service agency.

Chaplains serve many personal and spiritual needs of individuals where they are, when they need the support of another person who comes to them without judgment, with openness, and cares for them until the crisis moment is over.

Chaplains respect the persons they serve, even though there may be profound differences in race, gender, economic status, religious experience and many other factors.

Chaplains come at any hour, in all kinds of weather. Mostly, they listen. But they also comfort people who are shaking with fear with a gentle touch . . . or perhaps, if someone asks, a prayer will be offered in guarded privacy to support the trembling of spirit that comes in difficult moments.

Chaplains also understand the difficulties of public bureaucracies, assisting with the "red tape" moments of life for officers and the public alike. They spend many hours riding as active passengers with officers on patrol duty.

They also participate in a wide variety of training programs with their officer partners. Often chaplains are asked to teach classes dealing with stress, family life, relationships, ethics, and other issues.

Palos Park Police Prepare/Train for Disaster Hitting the Village

Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk has announced that on Tuesday March 10, 2009 all members of the Palos Park Police Department, Palos Park Emergency Management Agency and Palo Fire Protection District will participate in a table top disaster drill.

A unified command under the direction of Mayor John Mahoney and Commissioner Dan Polk will walk through a disaster with multiple facets and multiple peripheral crises’ occurring from the original incident.

Palos Park Police Department staff will be will be assisted by the Cook County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Canine and the Cook County Sheriff’s Helicopter, the Cook county Medical Examiners office and Cook County State’s Attorneys office.

Palos Park Police Department officers will also hear presentations from the Illinois State on senior exploitation scam artist

PALOS PARK POLICE RECRUIT SENIORS TO ASSIST WITH BASIC CLERICAL DUTIES
PALOS PARK POLICE COMMISSIONER DAN POLK HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE PALOS PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT IS AGAIN RECRUITING SENIOR CITIZENS, WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGE, TO VOLUNTEER THEIR FREE TIME DURING THE DAY.

THE SENIORS WOULD ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT’S SUPPORT STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY BY WORKING WITH CLERICAL STAFF ON VARIOUS COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS, SENIOR SAFETY INITIATIVES AND RECEPTION/CLERICAL DUTIES.

COMMISSIONER POLK SAID, “ PALOS PARK IS HOME TO A MANY SENIORS WHO ARE RETIRED AND CAN OFFER A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE THE DEPARTMENT CAN TAP INTO AND UTILIZE TO THE BETTERMENT OF PALOS PARK.”

THOSE SENIORS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING AND VOLUNTEERING FOUR OR FIVE HOURS PER WEEK TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT, ARE ENCOURAGED TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE DEPARTMENT BY WORKING ON VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT ASSIGNMENTS.

CHIEF JOE MILLER SAID, “THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE SENIORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF A POLICE AGENCY’S ROLE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.”

Palos Park Police Department team up with local church to equip its patrol cars with stuffed animals

Palos Park Police Department officers are participating in the Stuffed Animals for Emergencies program (SAFE) thanks to the Palos Park Church of the Transfiguration.

Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk has expressed his gratitude to the Church of the Transfiguration for their generous donation of forty-five stuffed animals, which will be kept in patrol cars and given to small children involved in stressful situations, accidents, domestic, disputes, medical emergences, etc... .

The stuffed animals serve to calm the child and reassure them that the police care about them. The program provides an opportunity for the officers to hand a child a teddy bear and offer them some hope and warmth. Police chief Joe Miller said "It is a small token, but a very large gift in the eyes of a child."

Palos Park Resident Supports the Palos Park Police Department Bike Unit

Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk has announced that new Palos Park resident Mike Flamburis a current Orland Park Police Sergeant, along with Brian Sord, owner of the Orland Park restaurant 94 West, have donated three (3) state of the art Smith and Wesson police patrol bicycle to the Palos Park Police Department.

The Palos Park Police Department Bike Unit has been in existence since 2000 and during the summer and fall season, officers patrol the village on bicycle. The Bike Unit currently uses two (2) bicycles that were purchased when the bike unit originally started in 2000.

The new Smith and Wesson Police Patrol Bicycles provide for a great deal more maneuverability, they are light weight and much more comfortable to ride for extended periods than the older version.

With the addition and update of the new patrol bicycles, the Palos Park Police Department will expand their bike unit with the ability of greater mobility. Bike racks will be added to the fleet, so officers can utilize the bicycles off and on during the course of their shift.

Chief Joe Miller said, “We have had an increase in the number of officers interested in participating in the bike patrol since we received the new Smith and Wesson bicycles, which in turn gives us the ability to patrol more areas on bicycle. We are very thankful to Mike Falmburis and Brian Sord for their generous donations”