spring newsletter final · Scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for...

8
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 PARK RIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT 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

Transcript of spring newsletter final · Scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for...

Page 1: spring newsletter final · Scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for exceptionally low prices. The scams often include ... rear end accidents are caused by

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

Page 2: spring newsletter final · Scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for exceptionally low prices. The scams often include ... rear end accidents are caused by

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.

Page 3: spring newsletter final · Scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for exceptionally low prices. The scams often include ... rear end accidents are caused by

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?

Page 4: spring newsletter final · Scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for exceptionally low prices. The scams often include ... rear end accidents are caused by

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

[email protected]

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

Page 5: spring newsletter final · Scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for exceptionally low prices. The scams often include ... rear end accidents are caused by

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

Page 6: spring newsletter final · Scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for exceptionally low prices. The scams often include ... rear end accidents are caused by

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

[email protected] for

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.

Page 7: spring newsletter final · Scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for exceptionally low prices. The scams often include ... rear end accidents are caused by

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

Page 8: spring newsletter final · Scammers knocking door to door with promises of qual-ity work for exceptionally low prices. The scams often include ... rear end accidents are caused by

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