Orland Park police double traffic stops in enforcement push  

Orland Park officials and police are going to war against speeders, dangerous drivers and those who drive vehicles with loud mufflers. 

Traffic stops are way up and there is talk of implementing a Speed Enforcer automated system. 

During the Sept. 21 village board and committee of the whole meetings, it was made clear that time, money and resources are being put into something that officials say has been a growing concern. 

On the police end of things, the Orland Park Police Department presented a video report at the board meeting comparing crime statistics from January through August 2025 and January through August 2026. 

Police said that in 2025, they made 6,450 traffic stops and in 2026, that has been ratcheted up to 13,998 stops. 

“That’s an increase of 117% from the same time last year,” Public Information Officer Richard Whelan said on the video. “The police department will maintain or even increase that level of enforcement for the remaining months of the year.” 

Earlier this year, the department hired more officers and went to a 12-hour shift schedule. 

Deputy Chief Lawrence Rafferty said those moves helped send the number of traffic stops skyrocketing. 

“We have more cars in the street and we have more time to free officers for traffic as opposed to answering calls and other duties that they do,” he said. “They have time to be on LaGrange Road and other main arteries slowing traffic down and enforcing cell phone tickets and other things like that. 

“When people see them (police) they slow down. That’s natural. It’s working.” 

Mayor James Dodge was impressed by the huge uptick in traffic stops. 

“I appreciate the police department working with us to solve this issue,” Dodge said. “Each of us as trustees heard from residents and future residents speeding is an issue. 

“Speeding is an issue in many towns, so I appreciate the police department doing as much as they do.” 

The board is looking into further curtailing dangerous driving by purchasing the $450,000 Speed  Enforcer system for a year and placing cameras near Sandburg High School and Liberty Elementary School. 

Village Manager George Koczwara said the Schaumburg Police Department is using the Speed Enforcer and he thinks it could work in Orland Park. 

“The first will be a warning and they will get a notice in the mail,” he said. “It’s based on the vehicle, not the driver. The second is a nuisance ordinance violation and the third is a nuisance order violation with an increased fine.”