Oak Lawn trustee says license plate readers have helped cut crime

By Joe Boyle

An Oak Lawn trustee praised the police department and how effective the license plate readers have been in making arrests.

Flock Safety License Plate Reader Cameras have been installed at several locations in the village within the past year. They have been instrumental in reading the plates of drivers who have been involved in various crimes or violations, according to the village.

“Flock has helped make the village safer,” said Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting on June 13. “And not only that, there is a high probability they (offenders) will be caught and prosecuted.”

Police Chief Daniel Vittorio said that 10 more cameras will be installed by the end of the year. The police department can observe vehicles driving through the village and can detect almost immediately if the drivers are involved in some sort of infraction.

Olejniczak admitted that he was initially skeptical when Vittorio said he was interested in bringing the Flock cameras to the village. The trustee said he has since become a believer and thanked Vittorio for coming up with idea of bringing in the cameras.

The Flock cameras provide the license plates and vehicle details. Alerts can be sent out quickly to law enforcement, according to the police.

In a related matter, Vittorio said homeowners can purchase “Support Oak Lawn Police” signs for their lawns.

Vittorio said the Oak Lawn Police Club has been selling yard signs to support the police. The proceeds go to the scholarship fund for police department dependents.

Road repairs

The water main project at Southwest Highway and Cicero Avenue is near completion, according to Public Works Director William Meyer. The Oak Lawn Regional Water System has begun the construction phase of the water main project along Southwest Highway between Oak Lawn Community High School and McVicker Avenue.

The work zone will be established within the northbound lanes, Meyer said at the recent board meeting. Southwest Highway will be reduced to one through lane in each direction during the duration of the project.

Construction at 95th and Southwest Highway will begin in July. During this time, traffic control devices will remain in place along Southwest Highway, and additional traffic control devices will be in place along 95th Street between Mead and Menard avenues. Multiple lane configurations are expected as work progresses across 95th Street, Meyer said.

Meyer also said major construction along 95th and Southwest Highway should be totally completed by the end of September.

Oak Lawn Matters

Village Manager Tom Phelan said the Oak Lawn Matters newsletter has been sent out to homes in the village. Phelan said that most homeowners should have received the newsletter, which will be sent out twice a year.

“After polling people, we found out that a lot of people weren’t getting it. If you don’t get it, contact the village,” Phelan said.

The village manager said the Oak Lawn Matters features trustee and department updates, public safety, flooding remediation plans, special events, and summer activities.

“We want to invest in our business community,” Phelan said. “If you got it, take the time to read it. We would like to get your feedback.”

Mayor Terry Vorderer concurred about the amount of information that’s included in Oak Lawn Matters. He also added that homeowners could contact the village if they have not received it, or just drop by the Municipal Hall and pick one up.

Fourth of July parade

This year’s annual Independence Day Parade will take place beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 1, instead of its usual date on the Fourth of July. The parade will move down 95th Street, concluding at Premo’s Ice cream shop at 5540 W. 95th St. Activities will follow at 6 p.m. at the Village Green.

The annual fireworks show will still be held on the Fourth of July at dusk at Richards High School.

Tobacco limits

The Oak Lawn Board has approved additional businesses with video gaming and facilities selling tobacco. However, Vorderer said the village has a limit on such requests.

“The board of trustees is satisfied with 12 businesses with tobacco shops,” Vorderer said. “We want them all to be successful, but we don’t need to have tobacco sold on every corner.”