The Palos Park Police Department is going to war with speeders and other traffic violators and a couple of events coming up could help the cause. 

At the July 13 village council meeting, Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk outlined some coming attractions to help combat the traffic problems, with help from other municipalities. 

From July 16-18, agencies from Cook, Will and Kankakee counties will take part in an Arrive Alive on Route 45 project. 

Police will be looking for impaired driving, distracted driving, seat belt usage and speeding on the route, which is also known as LaGrange Road.  

Palos Park joins Westchester, LaGrange Park, LaGrange, Countryside, Hodgkins, Willow Springs, Cook County, Orland Park, Orland Hills, Tinley Park, Mokena and Kankakee County police forces in the initiative. 

Polk said that Palos Park Police Chief Joe Miller was one of the initiators of Arrive Alive on 45, which is in its third year.   

On July 22, the Palos Park department will participate in Illinois Speed Awareness Day, initiated by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. 

“Motorists can expect to see increased patrols,” Polk said. 

According to a news release, in the past three years, more than 1,300 people in Illinois died in speed-related crashes. 

CommUnity night starts up 

Police and fire department personnel banded together for its first two CommUnity Nights on July 7 and July 14 and will meet with the community twice each month on various Tuesdays until the end of the year. 

“This is an opportunity to meet members of the police and fire departments while learning about a variety of public-safety topics,” Polk said.  

Night Out week plans coming 

National Night Out takes place Aug. 4 across the country as many police departments host an evening of fun as well as information. 

In Palos Park, however, the plan is to offer several programs during that week. 

Miller said that plans are being finalized, but there will be a Coffee with the Chief session plus sessions on scam awareness and teen safety and a luncheon at Cog Hill. 

“The whole week will be full of events,” Miller said.