Grant Awarded for Police Vehicle Replacement
The Police Department recently received a grant to replace one of the marked police vehicles. The grant in the amount of $15,745.00 was awarded by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Traffic fine surcharges and other funds will cover the local match and equipment for the vehicle. This vehicle will not cost taxpayers a penny.
Sheriff’s Award of Merit
Sheriff Tom Dart awarded Officer Mary Sanfratello the Cook County Sheriff’s Award of Merit at a ceremony held on October 15 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Officer Sanfratello was among 27 suburban police officers receiving the award of merit.
Officer Sanfratello has been assigned to a U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement Task Force since 2000. She is assigned to a narcotics enforcement team that has made many significant arrests over the years, and resulted in a significant amount of drugs removed from the streets in the region. She works countless hours of overtime to get the job done. Her efforts have brought in nearly a million dollars for East Hazel Crest local law enforcement efforts though asset forfeiture cases.
Officer Sanfratello demonstrates the highest professional qualities of a police officer and is truly deserving of this recognition. The entire village should be proud of Officer Sanfratello.
Traffic Safety Information
In an effort to reduce serious and fatal speed-related traffic accidents, East Hazel Crest Police Department increased traffic enforcement efforts between May 1 and May 31.
During the enforcement period, officers worked an additional 55.5 hours concentrating on speed related violations in four areas. Officers issued 114 speeding citations during the 55.5 hours of enforcement.
Increased speed enforcement will continue in July by using officers working overtime to concentrate on enforcement of speed laws.
The East Hazel Crest Police Department, which has a 95 % seatbelt usage rate participated in the May Click it or Ticket Seatbelt Campaign by conducting seatbelt enforcement zones. In these zones citations were issued for not wearing your seatbelt or not properly having children in child seats.
Officers conducted 13 seatbelt zones for the month during both night time and daytime hours at various locations in the village. Officers issued 60 citations for seatbelt and child restraint violations.
On June 19, officer conducted a Roadside Safety Check at 174 and Wood from 8 pm – midnight. The Roadside Safety Check resulted in 149 vehicles being directed into the checkpoint. Seven drivers were cited for driver’s license violations, seven for no insurance, one marijuana arrest and thirteen other violations. On a more positive not no drivers were found to be driving under the influence.
The department was awarded grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Host Site Award
In March 2009, the Police Department received its ninth consecutive "Outstanding Host Site Award" from North East Multi Regional Training, Inc. NEMRT is a Mobile Training Unit that provides police training throughout the six county Chicago area. This award recognizes not only the great training room we provide but also all the hard work our police officers put into making each class we host a success.