South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Public Safety Committee met Jan. 28

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER 

ROLL CALL 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 24th, 2024 

October 29th, 2024 - cancelled 

November 26th, 2024 - cancelled

December 24th, 2024 - cancelled 

POLICE ACTIVITY REPORT 

● 757 calls for service 

TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT 

● Hit & Run 3 

● Property Damage 27 

● Personal Injury 4

TOTAL 34 

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS 

● Police Department Budget Report

● Light 198 violations issued

● DACRA Report - 71 citations issues

● Training Report 196 Hours

DUI SUMMARY 

● DUI Arrests YTD - 34 

● Traffic Stops YTD - 2609 

● Arrests YTD - 242

●

CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM 

● Cases YTD - 173 

2024 FLOCK/AXON LPR CAMERA ACTIVITY 

● YTD - 31 hits 

● FLOCK activity includes citations, arrests, stolen vehicles and identification of vehicles used in other crimes.

OLD BUSINESS: 

2024 Patrol/Investigations Yearly Summary 

● 17,023 incidents handled 

● 7,666 self-initiated calls 

● 2,604 traffic stops 

● 243 full custodial arrests 

● 10 unlawful use of weapons arrests 

● Average police response time for 2024 calls for service was 3-minutes 43-seconds 

● 16 SSMCT Homicide Investigations 

● Over 100 cases were referred to the detective bureau for follow-ups. Of those cases 14- felonies, 7-misdemeanors and 8-local ordinances were charged

Evidence 

● A complete inventory of seized evidence in our vault was completed and no breaches were noted. 

● 2,000 total pieces of evidence in possession 

● 510 items collected in 2024 

● 147 items returned to owners in 2024 

● 1,802 items disposed of/destroyed in 2024

2024 Crisis Intervention 

1. 173 mental health cases were Investigated 

2. 22% involved substance abuse 

3. 7% had violent histories 

4. 25 were suicidal 

5. 19 had schizophrenia related Issues 

6. The two highest populations served were 21-44 years old and 65 years old and over

2024 Task Force Officers 

● Multi kilograms of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl were seized and taken off the streets of the Chicago Metropolitan area. 

● Numerous Illegal firearms were also seized by the Task Force Officers 

● Several vehicles and large amounts of suspected narcotics proceeds of U.S. Currency was also seized

2024 Technology Upgrades 

● 9 License plate reader cameras (LPR's) were fully operational and were instrumental in solving several crimes 

● 10 Upgraded In-Car Computers with LPR Capabilities were added to the Fleet 

● 32 Axon Body Cameras were added and paid in part with grant monies/asset sharing. Installation of the Condor surveillance camera in the Municipal Parking Lot. 

● Entered into a camera sharing agreement with the Village of Palos Park for a Condor camera at the intersection of McCarthy Road & 80th Avenue to monitor Northwestern of Palos Hospital 

● 4 law enforcement vehicles purchased with asset forfeiture funds.

NEW BUSINESS: 

● On February 11th, our Officer will start his assignment with the FBI Violent Task Force.

● Request a 2019 Chevrolet Police Tahoe VIN#1GNLCDEC1KR302594 be declared surplus and sold to the Crestwood Police Department for the sum of $12,500.00. Proceeds from the sale will be deposited back into the Drug Asset Forfeiture Account.

● Request a 2015 Chevrolet Police Tahoe VIN#1GNLCDEC8HR303413 be declared surplus and sold to the Sauk Village Police Department for the sum of $8.900.00. Proceeds from the sale will be deposited back into the Drug Asset Forfeiture Account.

CORRESPONDENCE/EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION 

● Sergeants John Parnitzke, Walter Droba, Investigators William Moritz, Kevin Paluch, Todd, Hutchinson, Paul Mikolajczak, and Eric Czajkowski received Letters of Recognition for the outstanding efforts for the recovery of 5-stolen motorcycles. 

● A Letter of Recognition was sent to the Town of Cicero for the assistance in the execution of several search warrants and recovery of the abovementioned motorcycles. 

● Officers Kuglarz and Carlson received Letters of Recognition for forcing entry into a residence and rendering lifesaving aid to a resident suffering from a seizure. 

● The FOP donated money to the family of Illinois State Police Trooper Clay Carns after he was killed in the line of duty. We also attended the funeral and assisted in a walk in Palos Heights for the family.

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE 

Procedure for addressing the committee: be recognized by the Chairman, rise, and give your name and address. Discussion is limited to 10 minutes, unless an extension is granted by a majority vote of the committee. All meetings are tape recorded. 

ALDERMEN'S COMMENTS 

ADJOURNMENT

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01282025-1124