East Hazel Crest Police Department

DUI Checkpoint

In an effort to reduce serious and fatal traffic accidents, East Hazel Crest Police Department conducted a Roadside Safety Check from 11pm on July 3 until 3 am on July 4.

Eleven officers worked the Roadside Safety Check. Officers issued 43 citations, including one DUI arrest, 7 for Driving While License is Suspended and 6 for No Insurance.

Increased enforcement will continue later this month with increased pedestrian enforcement efforts around the commuter train stations.

Seat Belt Enforcement Zones and a Roadside Safety Check will be conducted around the Labor Day holiday to make sure the summer concludes with a safe and enjoyable holiday for all motorists.

The department was awarded grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Traffic Safety Information

The East Hazel Crest Police Department announced that it will be conducting pedestrian violation enforcement near the METRA train stations beginning in April. Officers will be conducting enforcement to correct pedestrian violations as shown in the photograph.

The Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety has acknowledged the importance of pedestrian safety issues and is providing funding through a highway safety grant for the East Hazel Crest Police Department.

Pedestrians have been afforded advanced notice of this enforcement with information attached to their April parking permits. Additionally banners will be posted further encouraging motorists to use the signalized crosswalks.

In 2000, the Illinois Department of Transportation funded road improvements in the area and installed traffic signals with pedestrian signals at a total cost of over $5.5 million.

Officers will first be issuing warning notices to pedestrians who continue to violate pedestrian laws. Continued violations will result in citations being issued.

As always, the East Hazel Crest Police Department appreciates your cooperation and hopes that you will support this and any other efforts to improve highway safety.

Host Site Award

In March 2010, the Police Department received its tenth consecutive "host Site Certificate of Appreciation " from North East Multi Regional Training, Inc. NEMRT is a Mobile Training Unit that provides police training throughout the six county Chicago area. This award recognizes not only the great training room we provide but also all the hard work our police officers put into making each class we host a success.

Traffic Safety Challenge

The Police Department was awarded second place in the "2008-2009 Illinois Traffic Challenge" by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police at a ceremony on August 12th. .

The Traffic Safety Challenge is a statewide highway safety program that recognizes law enforcement agencies for their efforts in addressing traffic and highway safety issues in their jurisdiction. The program is coordinated by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Committee and is funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation - Division of Traffic Safety, as well as private funding from corporate sponsors. Participation in the program is voluntary and requires agencies to submit a detailed report of their policies, officer training, public information & education initiatives and effectiveness measures. Applications are judged by a team of highway safety professionals.

Former Officer Kris Vallow was awarded the "Looking Beyond the Seat Belt Award" for a multi-million dollar fraud case he worked in East Hazel Crest that started from a traffic stop for a seat belt violation.

Sgt. Wasek prepares the department's annual report for the Traffic Safety Challenge.

Sheriff’s Award of Merit

Sheriff Tom Dart awarded Officer Mitch Drake the Cook County Sheriff’s Award of Merit at a ceremony held on October 14 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Officer Drake was among 34 suburban police officers receiving the award of merit.

Officer Drake has been with the Department since 1997. He serves many roles such as Firearms Instructor, Field Training Officer and Investigator.

Officer Drake demonstrates the highest professional qualities of a police officer and is truly deserving of this recognition. The entire village should be proud of Officer Drake.