South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Public Safety Committee met Jan. 28

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 

The Public Safety Committee meeting was held on January 28, 2025 at the Palos Heights City Hall. Chairman Basso called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. In attendance were Alderman Clifford, Alderman Lewandowski and Alderman Scully. Also in attendance were Chief Czajkowski, Deputy Chief Yott and Deputy Chief Crowley. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Alderman Lewandowski moved to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2024 Public Safety meeting, seconded by Alderman Scully. All in favor. Motion carried. 

POLICE ACTIVITY REPORT 

There were 757 total calls for service. 

TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT 

Hit & Run 3 

Property Damage 27 

Personal Injury 4 

TOTAL 34 

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS 

a) Within the packet can be found, the Police Department Budget Report 

b) Red Light Report - 198 violations issued 

c) DACRA Report-71 citations issued 

d) Training Report - 196 hours

CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM 

a) Cases YTD – 173 

There were 173 mental health cases investigated throughout 2024: 22% of those involved substance abuse, 7% had violent tendencies, 25 were suicidal and 19 were related to schizophrenia. The two highest populations served were 21-44 year olds and 65 years and older. Citizens have been reaching out to us from other communities to learn about our resources and the partnerships we have with Trinity Services. One of our 2025-2026 goals is to expand this program because of the needed resources from citizens in crisis, especially those who come from the hospital. 

TRAFFIC SUMMARY 

a) DUI Arrests Year End - 34 

back into the Drug Asset Forfeiture account, seconded by Alderman Scully. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. 

c) To be declared surplus and sold to Sauk Village Police department for the sum of $8,900.00 (1) - 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, VIN #1GNLCDEC8HR303413. Proceeds from the sale will be deposited back into the Drug Asset Forfeiture Account. Alderman Clifford motioned to approve the sale of the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe to Sauk Village Police Department, with the proceeds being deposited back into the Drug Asset Forfeiture account, seconded by Alderman Scully. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. 

OLD BUSINESS 

None. 

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 their outstanding efforts for the recovery of 5 stolen motorcycles that were stolen out of an outbuilding and recovered in a storage unit in Cicero, Illinois. 

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

Officers Kuglarz and Carlson received Letters of Recognition for forcing entry into a residence and rendering life saving 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 his family. 

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE 

None. 

ALDERMEN'S COMMENTS 

None. 

ADJOURN 

There being no further business, Alderman Clifford made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Scully. All in favor. Motion carried. 

Meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm.

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02252025-1137