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Loves Park Police Department highlighted at council meeting
By Margaret Downing
Reporter
LOVES PARK – At the Feb. 2 Loves Park City Council meeting, aldermen heard a presentation from Police Deputy Chief Mike McCammond and Chuck Lynde, along with Chief Rodney Scott on the department’s “2014 Annual Report.”
For starters, the police department’s mission statement is as follows: “It is the mission of the Loves Park Police Department to enhance the quality of life in our community by building a partnership based upon fair, courteous, and efficient public service and respect.
“We are committed to public safety and the prevention of crime and strive to continue to develop strategies to increase our effectiveness in assisting our community with problem solving. We nurture public trust and pledge to hold ourselves to the highest standard of performance, integrity, and ethics.”
In 2014, the department logged a total of 523 “Part 1 Offenses” – a 23.5 percent decrease over the previous year. As noted, the “highest category, at 401 offenses is theft…Part 1 offenses are broken down into two categories – violent crime and property crime.”
A total of 1,396 arrest were made in 2014 (an increase of 87.38 percent). There were 8,451 total citations and warnings issued during the year (a 6.65 percent increase in traffic contacts from 2013 were made).
Total traffic crashes came to 771, resulting in property damage, personal injury, and “fatal crashes” – a 10.47 percent increase from 2013. Perryville and Harlem Roads had the most incidents. No fatal crashes were reported for the year.
Calls for service totaled 22,820 calls in 2014. Officers made 184 DUI arrests for the year.
Police Officer Aaron Johnson was nominated for the Loves Park Clifford E. Johnson VFW Post 9759 “VFW Officer of the Year” by his sergeant for his “outstanding work ethic.”
He served in the Marine Corps prior to joining the force. In 2014, Johnson had 27 DUI arrests and 99 other criminal arrests. He was “also recognized for his positive interactions with the community and especially for youth.”
Alderman Clint Little gave the weekly police activity report for the week of Jan. 25-31. There were 524 calls for service, 186 arrests, and 15 accidents reported. On the weekly fire department report dated Feb. 1, two fire alarm calls, two false fire alarm calls, and one carbon monoxide or gas leak call were reported.
Aldermen approved payment of $36,532.24 in water department bills, and $255,783.19 in general fund and all other bills, as presented Jan. 26. Alderman Julie Hobel abstained on the motion to approve the general fund bills.
Lori Gummow with Keep Northern Illinois Clean and Beautiful addressed the council and outlined what that organization is involved in and also gave an update on the annual Christmas tree recycling program. Unfortunately, not all residents seem to understand the tree program, as someone left an artificial tree and a mattress at Martin Park for the tree recycling program.
Three ordinances, first and second reading, were approved:
–A Class R1 (restaurant) liquor license for Second Cousins in the 6200 block of E. Riverside Blvd.
–A zoning map amendment change from light industrial to single-family residential for property in the 2100 block of Rivington Road and a special use permit for a duplex at the same location.
A resolution was passed authorizing the seeking of negotiated bids to design a custom built external website to replace and update the existing City of Loves park website.
