Crete Police Chief Scott Pieritz told the village board last week that, with a fully staffed department, more attention will be focused on traffic enforcement issues. During his report at the September 11 meeting, Pieritz said focus has been turned back to proactive traffic enforcement as one of the village’s objectives. He noted the police department gets many public complaints on dangerous driving, and the police department is making it their mission to address it.
During the past year, village “traffic ticket” numbers have averaged around 55 tickets a month. But with the new initiative that began in August, the total number of traffic tickets written almost quadrupled – to 214. The department will continue to conduct aggressive patrols, he said, focusing on school zone violations, speeding, cell phone violations, seatbelt violations, and other dangerous driving.
The department also is busy getting projects done at the police department facility, which includes a new evidence cage in the garage, re-treading the back stairs, replacement of upstairs wallpaper and paneling, implementation of body cameras in the near future, equipping new squad cars, plus other items.
The Pre-Trial Fairness/Cashless Bail Act was set to take effect on September 18. The Chief and Deputy Chief have attended some meetings and will be attending a Will County Chief’s meeting to gather additional information on what will be needed to comply with the new law. Area officials fear the law will further “handcuff” the police and state’s attorney’s office in dealing with criminals.
During officials’ reports, Trustee Stephen Johnson said there have been several water main breaks in recent weeks, all of which were repaired without incident.
Trustee John Phelan reported he has some additional trees on order for parkways, and he is expecting ground cover plantings to be arriving soon for the creek bank along First Street. He has chosen trees that will not grow tall enough to interfere with the overhead wires.
In her report, Trustee Holly Milburn commended the Police Department for their recent capture of a murder suspect.
Village Administrator Michael Smith gave a brief update on the Main Street project IDOT is responsible for, noting that due to weather, the Crete Road project is currently stalled.
Also during the meeting, the board of trustees:
- Adopted a pair of resolutions. The first authorized the village to enter into an agreement with Digital-Ally for the lease of officer-worn body cameras for the Crete Police Department. The second authorized an extension of the agreement with IDOT for the Village of Crete to maintain the location, construction, operation, and maintenance of driveways and street returns, water main, sanitary and storm sewers, street lights, traffic signals, sidewalk, landscaping, etc., on state highways within the Village of Crete.
- Noted Sgt. Anthony Konvalinka, Officer Krenner, and K-9 Lilly will be at the Crete Library on Thursday, September 21, at 10 a.m., for a community policing presentation. All residents are welcome to attend.
- STEP Grant targeted enforcement will be conducted again this year, which will focus on child safety seats and belts, although any ticket can be written. The campaign will run September 15 – 30.
- Learned Sgt. Konvalinka and his team, (including K-9 Lilly), have been busy with community events. They are gearing up for a fall initiative, which includes senior engagement and neighborhood watch organization and monthly meetings on crime in community and prevention measures.
- Heard videographer Nick Borrell report he has been working on a video about the new gas station going up at Main and Exchange, as well as a video involving Crete Elementary School.
- Approved a four percent pay increase for the fire administrator.
- Moved to waive the bidding requirements for paving work to be done at 575 and 550 W. Exchange. This work is being paid for from three different sources, with quantities not able to be determined until the work is completed.
- Adjourned to closed session and, after returning to regular session, approved an employment agreement with the Police Chief.