Alderman Robert Basso said the police are hoping Palos Heights homeowners with security cameras will join the Palos Heights Police Department’s Surveillance Camera Registration and Mapping program, a.k.a. SCRAM. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)
Palos Heights cops looking for help from citizens’ cameras
By Jeff Vorva
Palos Heights police and the city council are asking residents to SCRAM.
Alderman Robert Basso said the police are hoping Palos Heights homeowners with security cameras will join the Palos Heights Police Department’s Surveillance Camera Registration and Mapping program, a.k.a. SCRAM.
“It’s an initiative that provides information from their home security camera system for the purpose of obtaining video footage in the event of a specific incident in the area,” Basso said at Tuesday’s council meeting. “In other words, if you have a front door camera on your house, the police department would like to know if you have one and if you would be willing to give them access to it if there is an incident around your home in case the event was captured on video.”
He said it’s a voluntary program in which the police can use as a crime-fighting tool.
Basso said those who want to volunteer can call the department at 708-448-5060.
Liquor license granted
The council voted to grant Restaurante y Taqueria Jerez, 6523 W. 127th St. a Class A liquor license.
“The good thing about this is that we have a situation where we have a merchant who has been in town a couple of years and decided to expand,” Mayor Bob Straz said. “He’s going to take over the next storefront and will have a sit-down restaurant to go with his carryout. He has some great plans.”
Hot in the city
Basso is concerned with the hot temperatures this week.
“With the weather being horrendous, please check with your neighbors, friends and relatives – especially the elderly,” Basso said. “You want to make sure that they are A-OK. A lot of people suffer when the temperatures go way up.”
He added that the Palos Heights Recreation Center, 6601 W, 127th St., is being used as a cooling center.
Hot at the city
Resident Harlan Weivoda, who has been regularly showing up to council meetings this summer to air his grievances about his yard getting flooded after storms since a house was built next door, was back.
He said that a tree that has been appraised at $40,000 could be in danger of dying if the yard continues to get flooded. He was not happy with a cease-and-desist letter he said he received from the city.
“I knew that was going to come,” he said. “It’s a shame that the city retaliated against me.”
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