By Jeff Vorva
Palos Park’s crime rate in 2021 could go up even if it stays the same as 2020’s rate.
The Palos Park Police Department, in conjunction with the FBI, will have a new data collection system in place in 2021. The FBI is retiring its Summary Reporting System in favor of the improved National Incident Based Reporting System and the way the number of crimes will be recorded will be different.
Police Commissioner Dan Polk told village council members at the Nov. 23 meeting held via teleconference that this system will give a more accurate and complete picture of crime in the community.
“The previous reporting summary system was a national standard for more than 80 years,” Polk said. “While it served its purpose, it had a number of shortcomings. If a series of crimes were committed in a single incident, such as a burglary that ended in a homicide, only the most serious crime would be reported. Now, with the new reporting system, we can report every crime in a particular incident.”
Thus, instead of Polk’s example of the burglary/homicide, it will be counted now as two crimes rather than one.
Crime rates could go up nationwide with this new system, but it should prove to be more accurate.
“A 2014 study showed that though some crime rates might be a little higher, the increase will likely be minimal,” said a report on the FBI website. “Because of its broader accounting of crime, NIBRS establishes a new baseline that captures a more complete picture of reported crime in a community.”
Making their appointments
The council appointed Ed Marcyn as the chairman of the Palos Park Plan Commission through June 1, 2024. Marcyn has served on the commission since 2017 and has been the acting chairman since Mary O’Connor retired.
The council also appointed Gurp Aluwhaila to the Library Board of Trustees to a term expiring May 31, 2024 and Jennifer Gallagher to a term expiring May 31, 2022.
Plowing ahead
The village will purchase a new 2020 Ford F-250 pickup truck from Currie Motors in Frankfort for $46,834 as well as Western Snow Plow equipment from Regional Truck Sales for $5,384.
Other business
The council voted to reduce side yard setbacks for those yards abutting a dedicated but unimproved right-of-way to the same as required for an interior side yard setback.
Proposals were approved from Dav-Com Electric, Inc. for $10,257 to replace the electric conduit and wiring for pumps at Holy Family Villa’s sanitary sewer lift station and Airy’s Inc. for $8,520 to remove the spoil from the Public Works garage site.
The village will retain Speer Financial Inc. as the municipal advisor for the potential refunding of the series 2010A Alternate Revenue Bonds.
Palos Park adopts new crime reporting system