Park Ridge Citizens Patrol

The Park Ridge Citizens Patrol has completed 28 years of service with the City of Park Ridge. Their total membership consists of 22 active men and women and 12 inactive members. Two police personnel serve as liaison to the group. Members volunteered 40 nights during the year which encompassed 882 hours and drove 3,315 miles. There were also 11 special patrol days which resulted in an additional 182 hours worked. 

The Citizens Patrol assisted and supported the department with the following activities and events: Anelise Run, Taste of Park Ridge, Park Ridge Charity Classic, Park Ridge Senior Olympics, National Night Out, Fire Department Open House, Merchants Carnival, railroad crossing problems, fall storms, floods, power outages, Teen Movie Night, numerous crime scenes and various additional callouts throughout the year. 

For 2008, the Citizens Patrol proposes to increase its membership and continue to volunteer their services in any way that can benefit and improve services that the police department provides.

A member must be at least 25 years of age, live or work in Park Ridge and have a good background.  To contact the Patrol, call 847-318-5454, e-mail us at Prcpatrol@aol.com, or visit us on the web at www.park-ridge.il.us/patrol . 

 

Safe Haven

In 2007, the police department took an active role in promoting awareness of the Illinois Newborn Infant Protection Act, also known as the “Safe Haven” law by displaying a “Safe Haven” sign at the entrance to the police department. The sign identifies a “safe haven” location that is staffed 24/7.

Illinois law designates the police department as a safe haven where a newborn can be handed to police personnel anonymously, no questions asked, and without fear of prosecution. The purpose of this program is to save the lives of newborns that might otherwise be unsafely abandoned.

 

T.O.F.Y.S. - Teens Organized For Youth Services

In 2007, the Park Ridge Police Department was proud to partner with the Park Ridge Youth Commission and T.O.F.Y.S. (Teens Organized for Youth Services), to undertake several initiatives and promote and further relations between the youth of Park Ridge and the police. 

In October, a free movie night was sponsored with more than 100 teens seeing a midnight showing of Beetlejuice. The teens also were able to view numerous police officers including the Chief in some “not so traditional attire.”

Upcoming events in 2008 that the police department will participate in are a Dodge ball tournament, Volleyball tournament, Car wash fundraiser, Oktoberfest Pig Roast, and a civic project with the youth, where the benches in Hodges Park will be power washed and refurbished.

Any high school student who is a resident of Park Ridge or attends a Park Ridge High School may become a member of TOFYS. The group meets every regularly. Meetings are informal with members discussing upcoming events, current youth issues or planning additional service projects.

For more information, visit their website at www.tofys.org

 

Citizens Police Academy

During 2007, the Community Policing Program, referred to as PACT (Police and Community Together), has primarily worked to continue its efforts in the area of maintenance of a self-sustaining program; one that satisfactorily addresses the various needs and requests of the community. These efforts have included attendance of meetings at elementary and high schools in town fostering open communication. Meetings have also been held with staff from Advocate Lutheran General Hospital to discuss security issues and develop some common philosophies and response practices. Additionally, PACT members, working in conjunction with the Crime Prevention Section, have continued to give numerous speeches to various groups within the City. With respect to the patrol division, sergeants continue to be instrumental in facilitating the resolution of neighbor disputes or other issues as they arise, allowing for a more organized and efficient response by our department to the community’s needs. 

Most significantly however, in the area of new programs, was the development and commencement of the Citizen’s Police Academy. In November 2007, seventeen participants graduated from the first academy class. Reaction on the part of the participants to this new program was extremely positive as was evidenced in their evaluations and enthusiasm. The primary purpose of the academy is not only to educate the public about how the police department serves the community and the resultant challenges we face, but more importantly, to provide a forum for increased dialogue between the police and the public with the end result being a group of better educated citizens that serve as ambassadors for the Park Ridge Police Department. This was certainly accomplished this past fall with the graduation of the first Academy class. 

The Department is proud to report the PACT program continues to exceed our original goals. With the continued support of the men and women of the department, this program has been successful in many ways, but most noticeably, that the patrol division is now actively participating in the continued formation and maintenance of vital community partnerships.

 

The 911 Cell Phone Bank

The 911 Cell Phone Bank is an organization that provides refurbished cellular phones to give emergency communication for those in need.  If you wish to donate your used cellular phones, please drop them off at the police department non-emergency desk anytime.  If you have any items that go with the phone, such as instructions, extra batteries or power cords, you may include those as well.  If you would like further information, please visit www.911cellphonebank.org.  

 

The Are You O.K.? Program

This program offers daily contact with seniors, and peace of mind for friends and family.

The City of Park Ridge offers a telephone service to its senior citizens and the disabled.

Each day the participant is called at a specified time to check on their well-being. If the call goes unanswered, help will be dispatched.

For more information call the police department at (847) 318-5252
or e-mail at info@parkridgepolice.org

 

Drug Resistance Education Program

The Drug Resistance Education Program in the schools is a very important program to enhance positive interaction between school-aged children and the police department. The Park Ridge Police Department has been invited into the classroom to educate kids on topics including: safety, decision-making, peer pressure and resistance to violence, drug, alcohol and tobacco use.

The visits to the schools generally occur sometime in the fall and spring semesters. Each session is approximately 30 minutes long.

Four patrol officers are assigned to this position on a part-time basis. This is an important program in our schools and has been expanded this year from the grade schools into the middle school setting.