Kenneth Keyser shakes hands with Mayor Steve Landek after he is sworn in as Bridgeview’s newest police sergeant. (Photo by Steve Metsch)
Keyser promoted to police sergeant in Bridgeview
By Steve Metsch
After 24 years working on the Bridgeview Police Department, Kenneth Keyser finally has the job he’s been waiting for.
Keyser, 49, was promoted to sergeant at the May 4 meeting of the village board.
He’ll be in charge of the midnight shift, starting at 10 p.m. and working until 6 a.m. But he doesn’t mind one bit.
“It’s an acquired taste, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it,” he said with a laugh.
Being a police officer is something he’s wanted to do since he was a kid living in Oak Lawn.
“Since I was probably 6. We had an Oak Lawn cop who lived in the neighborhood, by my grandparents’ house. He was always good with the kids in the neighborhood. That made we want to do that and be a cop,” Keyser said.
He and his family lived in Oak Lawn until they moved to Bridgeview when he was 7 years of age.
Asked about memorable moments, he shrugged.
“Just. You know. I was in investigations for the past year, handled some property crime stuff that came my way and I assisted with other (law enforcement) agencies handling their major crimes,” Keyser said.
“I’ve never had to point my weapon,” he added.
Asked what he enjoys about the job, Keyser said: “Being able to do my part and help as many people as I can. I know that’s the standard answer.”
A graduate of Oak Lawn Community High School, he earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice at Moraine Valley, and then spent four years as a Marine.
Keyser served one year in the Philippines and three years at Camp Pendleton in California. He also spent time in Somalia.
“I’ve led an interesting life,” he said.
Keyser and wife Tina live in Bridgeview.
In other business, the board appointed Daniel Barron as a police officer. Barron did not attend the meeting.
The board also appointed Paul Gregory as a firefighter/paramedic.
The board by a 4-0 vote – trustees Mary Sutton and Norma Pinion were not present – approved spending $68,880 for a new pump at the pump station. The pump is being purchased from Metropolitan Pump Company, based in Romeoville.
“Once we get that in place, we’ll be able to start working on the other parts of our water system, to make sure everybody has their water when they turn their faucets on,” said Trustee James Cecott, who oversees public works.
The board also unanimously approved paying Imperial Surveillance, based in Arlington Heights, $134,720 for a new electronic entry system.
The system will be used by employees at the water treatment plant, fire station, EMA center, community center and SeatGeek Stadium.
The current system, Trustee Michael Pticek said, can be easily breached by buying a card on the Internet.
“This is an upgrade,” Pticek said. “The last time we had this system (installed) was 16 years ago.”
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for noon May 18.
Local News
Rush rips USDA over plight of black farmers
Spread the love‘House is on fire,’ congressman says From staff reports U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-1st) recently questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about what Rush called “the dire prognosis of black farmers in the U.S. and the steps USDA is taking to help minority farmers.” “As you well know, our nation’s…
Charge man with Archer Heights carjacking
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac Police say they’ve solved a carjacking that occurred in Archer Heights earlier this month. An 18-year-old Southeast Side man was charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking in connection with the crime. Monte Handley, of the 9000 block of South Muskegon, was apprehended by police in the 7500 block of South Ellis…
Charge man in shooting of 2
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac A 22-year-old West Lawn man was charged with two counts of aggravated battery, as well as aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, after he was arrested in the 3700 block of West Marquette Road at 4:06 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17. Isaiah Barco allegedly shot two men in a crime that…
Many crimes down in Orland, but weapons arrests concerning
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Orland Park Police Chief Joseph Mitchell had mostly good news when revealing the village’s 2021 crime statistics. But one glaring area that has him bothered is the number of unlawful use of a weapon arrests that have been shooting up. Mitchell and Mayor Keith Pekau attribute it to felons from…
Former GOP allies to battle for county board race
Spread the loveGorman wants to reclaim seat from Morrison By Bob Bong A battle royale is brewing in the race for the Republican nomination for Cook County Board’s 17th District. The 17th District is one of only two county board seats held by Republicans and it has only ever had a Republican commissioner dating back…
Palos Park inches closer to gaming solution
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Signs are pointing to the fact there probably will be limited video gaming in Palos Park. Mayor John Mahoney and the village council rejiggered a few things with an ordinance and some of the village codes and the end result is that Monday they asked village attorneys to look into…
Police reports
Spread the loveShot in the head, killed on Archer A 33-year-old man was shot in the head and killed as he drove a vehicle in the 4200 block of South Archer at 5:13 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22. The victim was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:47 a.m. Police said…
Tabares backs West Lawn Branch Library
Spread the love Twenty-third Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares (left) recently toured the renovated West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St.,, with new branch manager Mina Duarte. Details about the renovation’s may be found in the West Lawn column in the January 28 Greater Southwest News-Herald. –Supplied photo
Neighbors
Oak Lawn Fourth of July festivities
Spread the loveCelebrate Independence Day at the Village of Oak Lawn’s annual Fourth of July Parade at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 29! This cherished community event brings together families, friends, and neighbors to honor the spirit of freedom and patriotism. Parade will step off at 95th Street and Lacrosse and head west on 95th…
District 230 names Director of Safety and Security
Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education approved Dr. Mary Pat Carr as the district’s first Director of Security. She will move from her current position as Assistant Principal of Activities at Stagg High School to the Administrative Center on July 1. Her duties as Director of Safety…
Worth Public Library kicks off summer reading program
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Patrons at the Worth Public Library welcomed in the summer season earlier this month. The library, 6917 W. 111th St., hosted its annual celebration on June 1 to bring patrons of all ages out to sign up for its summer reading program. “We love any excuse to celebrate reading with…
Fire knocks out Orland’s UFC Gym
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A fire last Thursday afternoon practically destroyed an Orland Park gym and knocked out neighboring businesses, as well. Orland Park firefighters received a call at 2:31 p.m. June 20 for a reported fire in the UFC Gym located at 66 Orland Square Drive Unit C. Multiple 911 calls were received for a…
Chicago Ridge Fire Chief Bonnar retires
Spread the loveStarted his 50-year career as Orland Park cadet By Dermot Connolly Chicago Ridge Fire Chief William Bonnar officially announced his retirement from a nearly 50-year career at the June 18 Village Board meeting. Mayor Jack Lind made the announcement “with great regret,” joking that “he doesn’t have the age to retire but he…
Stagg tabs Allee Hernandez to guide girls hoops
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Allee Hernandez has accrued many years of basketball experience as a player and as an assistant coach. She will soon embark on a new experience as a head coach at Stagg, where she will be the Chargers first new head coach in 16 seasons. She succeeds Bill Turner, who…
Shepard’s yearbook wins national recognition
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Shepard High School students have worked tirelessly to create a yearbook for this academic year that was nationally recognized. The high school, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights, was chosen as a Yearbook Excellence Contest recipient from Walsworth Publishing Company, a family-owned printing company based out of Marceline, Missouri.…
Hickory Hills man charged in grandfather’s murder
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam A 32-year-old Hickory Hills man has been charged with first-degree murder in the June 21 death of his 90-year-old grandfather. Dean J. Faulk was charged on June 22 with the June 21 murder of Dean L. Faulk. Police said they responded to a call at 9:45 a.m. June 21 at…
Orland Park Public Library kicks off summer
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Summer is nearly here and the Orland Park Public Library is ready for it. On June 8, the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., hosted its second annual Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off event themed, Read, Renew, Repeat. “There are multiple interpretations to this theme,” Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager at the Orland…
llinois VFW names Porfirio Senator of the Year
Spread the loveIllinois Veterans of Foreign Wars recently selected state Senator Mike Porfirio as the Senator of the Year. “I’m deeply honored to receive this prestigious award from the Illinois VFW,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “I am committed to ensuring our veterans receive the protections, care and dignity they deserve. This recognition is a testament…