spring newsletter final · scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for...
TRANSCRIPT
This is the time of the year
they come out of the wood-
work. Scammers knocking door
to door with promises of qual-
ity work for exceptionally low
prices. The scams often include
driveway repaving, chimney
repairs, ductwork cleaning, and
roofing scams. Toss a criminal
handy man in there and you
end up missing a jewelry box
or wallet.
It doesn’t take much for a con-
tractor to appear legitimate. A
simple uniform, business card,
truck lettering and a 4-color
brochure will easily give the
impression of legitimacy. And
they may be legitimate, but
that doesn’t mean you should
just fork over a down payment.
Always do business with some-
one you know, like, and trust
based on a referral. Consider
well known brands that often
vet out contractors/employees
and have zero tolerance poli-
cies for shoddy work.
The Better Business Bureau is
a great resource for consumers
looking to deal with reputable
companies. This is your best
resource. Look them up on the
local BBB website and search
the internet to see if there are
complaints.
Get at least 3 bids to see who
has the right price, and that
may not be the cheapest either.
Confirm they are properly li-
censed and insured. In Park
Ridge ALL transient businesses,
such as landscapers, handymen,
etc must be registered in Park
Ridge and display a valid busi-
ness license sticker in the front
windshield of their work vehi-
cle, according to Park Ridge
local ordinance 12-1-2.
Get and check references.
Never provide a deposit of
more than 25% and never give
that deposit until the day they
show to do the job. Find out
what kind of warranty they
have and get it in writing.
Lastly, if you are approached
by someone you feel is suspi-
cious, contact the police de-
partment.
Caption describing
DON’T GET CLEANED OUT DURING SPRING CLEAN-UP
New Traffic Law in 2012
A new seat belt law took effect January 1st, 2012. The law will re-
quire ALL vehicle passengers to wear seat belts, not just passengers
in the front seat.
The original 1985 seat belt law required seat belts for the driver and
all front-seat passengers age 19 and younger. With the new law,
back seat passengers will no longer be exempt. The law does not
apply to passengers in the back seat of taxis or ambulances.
Community Strategies Newsletter
P A R K R I D G E P O L I C E D E P A R T M E N T
Spring 2012
Driving in-text-icated 2
Chief’s Corner 2
Crime in Your Neighborhood
3
Did You Know... 3
Park Ridge CERT 4
Law Enforcement Torch Run
4
Seniors Beware 5
Parent Patrol 6
Medication Take Back 7
Home Security Checks 7
Calendar of Events 8
Trading Card Program 8
Inside this issue:
Police Department Staff
Chief Frank J. Kaminski
Commander Lou Jogmen
Administration Division
Commander Dave Keller
Patrol Division
Commander William Polka
Investigations Division
Officer Julie Genualdi
Community Strategies
While driving in a car, have you ever:
• Texted
• Surfed the internet
• Read emails on your phone
• Tuned the radio
• Ate, drank or smoked
• Pick up something you dropped
• Reached for the glove compart-ment
• Talked on the cell phone
• Put on makeup
• Shaved
• Filed, clipped or painted your nails
If you answered “yes” to any of those situations, you are driving while dis-tracted and are at risk for a crash.
Drivers inadvertently sometimes focus their attention away from the roadway putting themselves, their families and passengers in jeopardy. 68 percent of rear end accidents are caused by be-ing distracted.
Using a cell phone while driving in-creases your chance of getting into a crash by 40 percent. Nearly 25 per-cent of all crashes, including fatal, were caused in part by distracted driving.
Use a hands-free device or wait to call someone when you know the conver-
sation will be long. Pull off the road and find a safe place to stop before using your phone.
At 16 and 17 you cannot use your cell phone at all while driving!
Stay Focused!
Distracted Driving has become a very serious problem, it can happen to you.
Frank J. Kaminski
Chief of Police
Chief ’s Corner
Don’t Drive In-TEXT-icated
The Park Ridge Explorer Post 911 The Park Ridge Explorer Post 911 The Park Ridge Explorer Post 911 The Park Ridge Explorer Post 911
Join Now! Join Now! Join Now! Join Now!
The Park Ridge Law Enforcement Explorer Post is a youth based program for boys and girls who are ages 14-21 and interested in Law Enforcement. Explores meet bi-weekly and learn about the many facets of the Park Ridge Police Department. Explorers have assisted in bike safety courses, fireworks parking/traffic control and roadside safety checkpoints. If you would like more information about the Explorer program contact Officer Luehr at (847) 318-5252 or [email protected]
Page 2 Community Strategies Newsletter
Park Ridge Police Department Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at City Hall Topics: How to be a good “Digital Citizen”, Kids-Cops-Cars and Teen Drinking/Parties
With our unseasonably warm
weather, everyone is eager to en-
joy outside activities. As more
people are “out and about,” driv-
ers need to be especially cautious,
especially of pedestrians and bicy-
clists. One of the most common
complaints I receive is driver be-
havior. Driving is a privilege, not
a right, and it is the responsibility
of every driver to be alert and
cautious of his or her surround-
ings. Be considerate of pedestri-
ans. And, stay within the speed
limit. Enjoy the warm weather.
the role of the suspect. Student
Carla Nuzzo stated, “That was
so scary, crazy.” All the stu-
dents related they were happy
the school and police practice
for such a terrible situation.
were reviewing
the current “Maine
South Emergency
Guidelines,” which
include the
school’s response
to major incidents.
The school and city
departments collaborate on
safety policies and their imple-
mentation regularly through
the onsite School Resource Of-
ficer. With a few students vol-
unteering as victims, the police
entered the building in accor-
dance with their training and
secured the officer who played
Residents often ask why they don’t read about crime in their neighbor-
hood in the “Police Blotter” section of the local newspaper. The Park
Ridge Police Department provides copies of police reports to the media,
however we have no control over what they choose to print.
In an effort to provide our residents with such information, the Park Ridge
Police Department posts a “Weekly Summary” of incidents on our web-
site. Visit www.parkridgepolice.org to view the Weekly Summary
posted under the “Citizen Information” section.
Did You Know…
On February 14, 2012 the Park
Ridge Police Department in co-
operation with Maine South
High School and the Park Ridge
Fire Department conducted an
“Active Shooter Training Exer-
cise.” The exercise was a
learning tool for how the school
and the departments would re-
spond in the event an active
shooter came into Maine South
H.S.
A lot of communities conduct
such exercises. This exercise
was recommended during a
meeting between the police,
fire and school officials who
Use your smart phone here
for a direct link to the Park
Ridge Police Department’s
website.
Student Carla Nuzzo stated, “That was so
scary.” “Crazy.”
Maine South High School
Page 3
How Do I Learn About Crime in My Neighborhood?
The Park Ridge Community Emer-
gency Response Team (PRCERT)
has been busy assisting the Park
Ridge Police Department in many
ways. PRCERT was activated for a
recent death investigation and an
active shooter exercise at Maine
South H.S. PRCERT held a quar-
terly meeting in January. Topics
of discussion included: winter
safety, Midwest earth quake safety
and crime prevention tips.
PRCERT members are looking for-
ward to a training day at North-
eastern Illinois Public Training
Academy (NIPSTA) located in
Glenview. NIPSTA is a multi-
agency training facility of which
the City of Park Ridge is a found-
ing member. The Team will utilize
NIPSTA in cooperation with the
Park Ridge Citizen Corps Council
to train for a disaster that includes
search and rescue, first aid, pas-
senger railroad mitigation, team
management and fire suppression.
The Team is also expected to as-
sist the police department with
traffic control during a host of up-
coming community events.
If you would like more information
regarding the Team or the public
education element of the program,
please contact Officer Michael
Luehr at 847-318-5252 or
Olympics Illinois Summer Games in
Normal, Illinois.
The Park Ridge Police Department is
one of 300 departments around the
state that participate in the Torch Run,
as well as several other fundraising
events throughout the year. In 2011,
the department raised $8,981.
Whether it is the icy waters of Lake
Michigan during the Polar Plunge, the
height of the rooftop at the Cop on
Rooftop event, or the grueling dis-
tance of the Torch Run, the Park Ridge
Police Department is proud to sup-
port the athletes of the Special Olym-
pics.
You can help too! Look for the upcom-
ing events around town.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the
single largest fundraising event bene-
fiting Special Olympics Illinois. It is an
annual intrastate relay fundraiser con-
ducted by officers representing every
branch of law enforcement across the
state from local police officers to FBI
agents. The Torch Run has two goals:
to raise money year round and to gain
awareness for the athletes who partici-
pate in Special Olympics. The Law
Enforcement Torch Run has raised
over $25 million since 1986.
Approximately 3,000 officers carry the
Flame of Hope nearly 1,500 miles, run-
ning through thousands of Illinois
communities via 23 different legs
(routes) to its final destination– the
Opening Ceremonies of the Special
• Cop on Rooftop at both Park Ridge
Dunkin Donut locations on June 1st.
• Torch Run on June 10th at Dempster St
from Northwest Hwy to Milwaukee
Ave.
• Spare Change for Real Change, can-
ning event on July 20th.
• Plane Pull at O’Hare Airport on Sep-
tember 15th.
Park Ridge CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)
Law Enforcement Torch Run (Benefitting Special Olympics Illinois)
For more information on how you can
participate and /or donate, please contact
Officer Julie Genualdi at 847.318.5233
Page 4 Community Strategies Newsletter
What is a “Ruse Burglary”?
A ruse burglary is when an offender deceives
a victim to get into their home to steal cash
and/or other valuables from the victim.
Here is how it usually hap-
pens:
• The senior is approached at the door by
at least two individuals who request to use
the telephone or ask for a glass of water.
Once inside, one of the individuals keeps
the senior occupied while the other indi-
vidual rummages through the senior’s
personal belongings and steals cash and
jewelry.
• Offenders claiming to be with the water
department who need to check pipes.
While one subject distracts the senior, the
other goes into the senior’s bedroom and
steals cash and jewelry.
• Offenders claiming to work on a neighbors
lawn request the senior to exit their home to
look at the neighbor’s lawn. Once outside,
the offender keeps the senior occupied
while the other individual enters the home
and rummages through the senior’s per-
sonal belongings and steals cash and jew-
elry.
Prevention:
• Lock all doors, windows and garages at all
times.
• Use peepholes before opening the door.
• Call the police for any suspicious activity.
• Alert your neighbors to suspicious solici-
tors.
• Never open the door to strangers or solici-
tors AND NEVER LET ANYONE INTO YOUR
HOME!
Join the Park Ridge Police Department at the Park Ridge Senior Cen-
ter, 100 S. Western Ave, Park Ridge, as we host a monthly Senior
Breakfast on the third Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am.
At each meeting officers and special guest speakers will provide in-
formation related to safety issues such as home repair scams, changes
in the law, crime prevention, personal security and more.
Refreshments will be served courtesy of our local Panera and Jewel.
There is no cost to attend. For more information, contact the Commu-
nity Strategies Officer at (847) 318-5233.
Senior Breakfast Club
Don’t Be a Victim!
Page 5
Seniors Beware
Parent Patrol
Page 6 Community Strategies Newsletter
The purpose of the Parent Patrol Program is to build a partnership between community and police in
developing a response to underage drinking parties, as well as to provide a deterrent to initiating un-
derage drinking parties.
Description: A group of trained citizens (at least 21 years old) will be available on designated Friday & Saturday
nights (9 pm to 1 am) to respond to in-progress underage drinking parties. The role of the Parent Pa-
trol is to observe the situation, assess the police actions taken and if requested by the police, to help
contact parents of any underage teens. The Parent Patrol may also assist in a follow-up visit with the
parents. Volunteers will be trained and issued a departmental identification card. Volunteers may ei-
ther be stationary (responding from their home) or provide mobile patrol similar to our Citizens’ Pa-
trol, or be stationary at the station.
The Parent Patrol will only make observation of vehicles and teens in the area. Volunteers will not at-
tempt to apprehend or confront any teens.
Volunteers are subject to criminal background checks.
Training Required (2 hours): • Understanding of Juvenile Law as it relates to Under Age Drinking (UAD). Explain the difference
between prosecutions of DUI vs. UAD. It will be important for volunteers to be able to support po-
lice in their ability to describe the law and rules surrounding adults vs. youth.
• Understanding of adolescent addiction science as it relates to alcohol (brain development, in-creased addiction rates, etc.).
• Understanding of local resources – counseling, drug testing, MCYAF.
• Understanding of their role to support and educate parents not to preach, or condemn.
• Dealing with angry parents.
• Role-play. Parent Patrol is looking for
volunteers! Please contact Officer
Julie Genualdi at 847-318-5233 or
more information.
A Service of Remembrance
Park Ridge City Hall
Front Steps
Monday, May 14th, 2012
6:30 pm
In honor of National Police Week, the Park Ridge Police Chaplains Association invites you to a service of remembrance to honor the lives of officers killed in the line of duty and to thank
our police for their service.
The Park Ridge Police Department in
partnership with the Drug Enforce-
ment Administration (D.E.A.) and
Maine Community Youth Assistance
Foundation (MCYAF) is sponsoring a
Medication Take Back Day on Satur-
day, April 28, 2012. The drop-off loca-
tion is the Park Ridge Police Depart-
ment, between 10:00 am—2:00 pm.
Accepted items include unwanted,
unused and expired prescription and
over-the–counter drugs.
No sharps, syringes, needles, ther-
mometers, liquids, bandages, gauze
pads, sun block, deodorant, eye
drops, skin cream, and similar prod-
ucts. These WILL NOT be accepted.
Medications should be in their origi-
nal containers. Do NOT remove la-
bels. Personal information (name, ad-
dress) should be crossed out, but in-
formation about the medication should
be legible.
Abuse of prescription and over-the-
counter drugs commonly found in
homes, most notably by teens and
young adults, is on the rise. Removing
unwanted, unused or expired medica-
tions from the home helps eliminate
abuse.
Common disposal practices, such as
flushing medicines down the drain or
toilet, are an emerging problem as
studies show trace amounts of phar-
maceuticals in drinking water, rivers
and streams across the country. Re-
searchers have concluded that minor
concentrations of pharmaceutical resi-
due harm fish and other aquatic spe-
cies as well as damage human cells in
the laboratory setting.
Help protect our youth and the en-
vironment !
Is your home secure? Let the Park Ridge Police Department help you assess the security
of your home. A home security assessment is designed to allow you to take a fresh look
at your home security. By reviewing home security measures through the identification
of security risks both inside and outside the home, homeowners are in a better position
to take appropriate action to correct any problems to prevent themselves from becom-
ing a victim of a crime.
Visit www.parkridgepolice.org to download a Home Security Checklist and take that first step towards
a safer home. If you would like an officer to assist you in assessing the security of your home, contact
the Community Strategies Officer at (847) 318-5233 to schedule an appointment.
Home Security Checks
To receive the quarterly Community Strategies Newsletter electronically, contact Officer Julie Genualdi at 847.318.5233 or via email at [email protected] and you will be added to the list.
Page 7
Medication Take Back
Calendar of EventsCalendar of EventsCalendar of EventsCalendar of Events
Police Department Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at City Hall
7:00 pm –9:00 pm
Medication Take Back Day Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Park Ridge Police Department
10:00 am—2:00 pm
Police Memorial Service Monday, May 14, 2012 on the City Hall Front Steps
6:30 pm
Law Enforcement Torch Run “Cop on Rooftop” Fundraising Event at both Park Ridge Dunkin Donuts
Friday, June 1, 2012 5:00 am—2:00 pm
Torch Run
Sunday, June 10, 2012 on Dempster @ Northwest Hwy/Milwaukee 10:00 am
Park Ridge Police Department
On January 24th, 2012 , Jason received
a Mongoose BMX bicycle for his hard
work.
The Park Ridge Police Department will
continue the Trading Card Program
this year for children 12 years of age
and younger.
The program proved to be a great
way for the youth of our community to
interact with the members of the po-
lice department.
Congratulations to Jason Marciniak,
the first to complete his collection of
Park Ridge Police Department Trad-
ing Cards.
Jason, Niles resident and a student at
Field Elementary School, collected all
55 trading cards with determination to
win.
With the help of mom and dad, he vis-
ited the police department day and
night in search of officers, detectives,
sergeants, lieutenants, commanders
and even the chief.
* For your safety, only approach an offi-
cer when he or she is NOT in the proc-
ess of performing their police duties.
Home Run!
200 South Vine Avenue Park Ridge, Illinois 60068 Phone: 847-318-5252 Fax: 847-318-5308
For additional information contact: Officer Julie Genualdi Phone: 847-318-5233 Email: [email protected]
Stay Connected!
Chief Frank J. Kaminski and Trading Card Program
winner, Jason Marciniak.
We’re on the Web!
www.parkridgepolice.org
Information on the Upcoming NATO Conference 2012 The following are some facts the Park Ridge Police Department feel are important for the community to be aware of for when the NATO Conference arrives in Chicago: • What does NATO stand for: North Atlantic Treaty Organization • When is NATO coming: May 20 and 21, 2012 • Who makes up NATO: A group of approximately 29 countries that will be discussing security and military issues including: Af-
ghanistan, terrorism, missile defense, cyber crime and partnerships between countries. • Where will the NATO Conference be held: The NATO conference will be at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Additional Facts about the NATO Conference: • The Chicago Police Department is expecting approximately 30,000 protestors that will attend the NATO Conference. These protes-
tors are mostly peaceful, but some try to disrupt businesses, roadways, hotels and airports. • Park Ridge could be effected by protestors having such a close proximity to Chicago. • There is NO intelligence information that protestors will be coming to Park Ridge, but our Department is planning and preparing for
any circumstances that would impact our community.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Commander Dave Keller at 847.318.5276