ORLAND PARK POLICE PUT FOCUS ON CRIME TRENDS
Originally published May 11, 2014 (Submission Copy)
Orland Park strives to be a safe community and is making great progress in providing that safety. Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy provided information on D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), D.A.R.E. Booster Program, heroin concerns, and updates on strategies the police department is utilizing to maintain safety at the mall, how to stem ruse burglaries, and other safety concerns.
He began by talking about a very real threat to our community – heroin. “Heroin is at the top of our radar,” he stated, when talking about the problem not only here in Orland Park, but also countrywide.
He explained that the Illinois General Assembly just last week cited heroin use as the number one public health safety issue, with hospitals seeing a significant increase in patients arriving with symptoms of heroin overdose and even death.
This real concern has called for action by the police department, with Mayor Dan McLaughlin and the Village Board giving this priority. Chief McCarthy also explained the relationship the police department has with the Orland Fire Protection District in prevention and early action when a person is found reacting to heroin overdose. Quick action is key to saving lives.
Narcan, the common name for the drug Naloxone is used to counter the effects of opioid overdose, such as heroin. The nasal spray form of this treatment is currently carried on the Orland Fire Protection District vehicles. Orland Park police officers will be trained and equipped with this product in the near future. He explained, “the threat from heroin is great, and we can save lives with this product.”
A three part service to the community – Education – programs such as D.A.R.E., D.A.R.E. Booster, the Community Drug Concerns Video Series; Prevention – efforts being made to trace from where the drugs are coming within Cook County and the City of Chicago; and Enforcement – the police department and the fire department can share information about persons arrested for heroin overdose or use symptoms, and utilize that information to prevent more activity. At this point, because of privacy rules, hospitals are not required nor allowed to share that information with the police or fire departments.
To educate the community, the police department has a steady presence in our schools and Carl Sandburg High School. D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a program within school districts 135, 140, 146, and St. Michael’s. Providing accurate information and being a well-utilized tool within the schools districts, an enhancement has been added for 8th graders attending those mentioned schools. One more push for drug education and reiterating the dangers of drug use, the D.A.R.E. Booster Program has been added with the school year 2012. There is positive feedback from students, parents, the District 135 school board, and the Orland Park police.
At Carl Sandburg High School, Chief McCarthy is aware that the students are busy every moment of the day, so there is no time left for an actual program, but the School Resource Officer (SRO) is onsite to monitor and provide information for prevention at the school. The SRO may make an arrest, if warranted, for criminal activity at the school. A former D.A.R.E. and D.A.R.E. Booster representative at the grade school levels, the SRO has built a rapport with the students, and maintains an active presence in the school.
Further down the road, Orland Square Mall has had a significant reduction in police activity. In the 2013 holiday season, there were no acts of violence against persons (including murder, assault, etc.); and a decrease in property theft (including ID, retail, etc.), with only one vehicle reported as being broken into during that time frame. This comes from a stepped up presence, at all times, of Orland Park police officers in and around the mall. Chief McCarthy explained that coverage doesn’t only occur at the mall, but officers have a “Retail Detail” where they frequent the other strip malls and retail sites throughout the village in an attempt to provide high visibility thereby lowering crime.
At home, McCarthy reminds us to be ever vigilant about Ruse Burglaries, another hot topic for the police department. Mostly targeting senior citizens – but not only that demographic – one individual distracts a homeowner, while another attempts to enter the property and steal cash, jewelry, and other valuables. The police department implores that you ask for credentials of anyone who solicits at your home. The police department issues a Solicitor’s Badge to authorized solicitors in the village. If this documentation is not provided, please call the police department. “I would rather have 20 false alarms, than have one person victimized by these ruse burglars,” stated McCarthy.
So, sleep well, Orland Park. The Orland Park Police Department is on watch!