Bridgeview adds full-time police officer, two vehicles

By Steve Metsch

The village of Bridgeview has a new full-time police officer, and is buying two new vehicles for the department.

That was among action taken by the village board at its matinee meeting on Dec. 15.

The board approved all actions by a 5-0 vote. Trustee Michael Pticek did not attend the meeting.

After serving in a part-time role for two months, Nicole Davis has been promoted to full-time police officer. It’s a good move, Police Chief Ricardo Mancha said.

“She’s adapted well. She’s learned a lot,” Mancha said. “We’re able to see how she’s working out. With the competitiveness with all the other departments now, people are getting hired a little faster.

“My concern was she’s a good officer, she works well with others, I wanted to make sure I snatched her up. I think she’s going to be a great addition to our department,” Mancha said.

In other business, the board approved paying no more than $35,650 for a 2022 Ford Police Interceptor from Morrow Brothers Ford in Greenfield.

And the board approved paying no more than $37,500 for a 2022 Ford F-150 Police Responder from Sutton Ford in Matteson.

“The interceptor is for chasing people down,” Mancha said. “The F-150 is rated for pursuits, however, we’re not going to let it chase too many vehicles.”

There was a need because a motorist rear-ended a police car in the 8800 block of South Harlem Avenue in November, Mancha said.

The board also approved authorizing the village to opt in and participate in the settlement of a nationwide opioid litigation against three pharmaceutical distributors – McKesson, Cardinal Health and Amerisourcebergen – and one manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson.

“Of course, it is,” Trustee Patricia Higginson said when asked if opioid abuse is a problem nationwide. “That’s why we’re acting on it.”

There’s no telling right now how much Bridgeview would receive in any settlement, Mayor Steve Landek said: “A lot of communities are participating and we’re signing onto it.”

The board approved an ordinance approving the renewal of a Class 6B tax assessment for the property at 9600 S. Harlem Ave.

The board approved a meeting schedule for 2022. As in years past, the board will meet at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, and at noon on the third Wednesday.

The first meeting of 2022 will begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 5.