Palos Park hands out police awards

By Jeff Vorva

There were awards aplenty on Monday night in Palos Park.

Police Commissioner Dan Polk handed out several awards at Monday night’s village council meeting at the Kaptur Administrative Center.

Commander Chris Hughes and Sergeant Diana Campbell earned recognition for reviewing and revising the Palos Park Police Department’s policies under the Lexipol system.

“For over a year, these two people have worked diligently to use a new system that we subscribe to,” Polk said. “It gives us, as first responders, an update on a variety of different issues that pertain to the way that we perform our police duties.

“The cool thing is that the updates come to us in real time. We don’t have to study stage or national legislation. They spent multiple hours working on policies based on nationwide standards. I would like to thank them for their incredible hard work when they would rather be out policing. They are doing the voodoo that they do so well.”

Police investigator Ross Chibe was presented with the Palos Park Lions Club First Responder 2002 Award and Polk lauded him for his work and that fact that he has been with the department as a cadet, front-desk clerk, part-time officer and fulltime officer for more than 10 years.

Paul Metcalf, a fleet mechanic for the village, won the Civilian Service Award.

A group making up the Community Emergency Response Team program were honored for graduating the program.

Those recognized were Kristen Bauer, Kathleen A. Brausch, Corey Chavez, Cynthia L. Chibe, Kelly R. Duh, Loren D. Jahn, Grace E. Mischak, Costa N. Nomikos, Sue Reppen, Amanda K. Sink, Robert Sundermeier, Nancy A. Swingle, Todd Walters, Larry Wiles and Jacob M. Zemgulis.

Short-term ordinance

The council voted to amend ordinances regarding what used to be known and tourist homes and added prohibition to those using their homes for short-term rentals.

“There have been a number of short-term rentals single-family residences, being rented out to guests for a short period of time,” Commissioner Mike Wade said. “They have recently resulted in neighbor complaints and a need for police involvement.”