The Park Forest Police Department increased patrols over Halloween weekend as part of a statewide traffic safety campaign funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The initiative focused on reducing traffic violations and accidents during the holiday period.
Deputy Police Chief Kristopher Vallow reported that officers dedicated 36 hours to the enforcement effort, resulting in 60 traffic stops and several citations and arrests. Officers issued 15 seat belt citations, one child restraint citation, 15 speeding citations, and 13 distracted driving citations for cellphone use. An additional 35 citations were given for offenses such as no insurance, disobeying traffic signals, improper lane usage, equipment violations, and unlawful transportation of alcohol or cannabis.
Police also made three arrests for driving with a suspended or revoked license. Two other arrests were made: one on a warrant and another for unlawful possession of more than 40 grams of cannabis.
“We used $29,470 of awarded funds, or 98 percent of what we were granted, resulting in 423 additional officer hours,” Vallow said. “This campaign allowed us to increase our presence on the roads and help maintain traffic safety during a busy holiday weekend.”
Vallow added that the department has received $33,600 from IDOT for the upcoming fiscal year. This funding is expected to support about 448 extra officer hours for future campaigns aimed at occupant protection and safe driving.
“The next campaign will run from Nov. 21 through Dec. 2 and will focus on occupant protection over the Thanksgiving holiday,” Vallow said. “We’ll continue to use these resources to encourage safe driving behaviors and reduce traffic-related incidents in the community.”
This Halloween enforcement marked Park Forest Police’s first IDOT-funded operation for the current fiscal year as part of their ongoing efforts to improve road safety in Park Forest.
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