[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6345401,"mediaKeyId","2249236-2bd36d553df3732bafc51454027d12da","parentId",2249236,"title","Berwyn police discuss cameras, cloud records system and station renovation; aldermen press for contract transparency and privacy answers","audioSeconds",1274,"startMs",1266000,"endMs",2540000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249236-2bd36d553df3732bafc51454027d12da&start=1266&end=2540","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249236-2bd36d553df3732bafc51454027d12da/thumbnail_1266000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6345401/Berwyn/Cook-County/Illinois/Berwyn-police-discuss-cameras-cloud-records-system-and-station-renovation-aldermen-press-for-contract-transparency-and-privacy-answers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345401-abdbaa7361110f1097e7da410f49de3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773588608&Signature=QWjQrudt~JSCixEZ-TefPt6LZRCIv0r8QMWc3WeOKHUHeXis-XdYUtYdOXBGkUtPjUrBUuNRxBchaQshzWAcv-CHFk~gGsp19GIzslXbo9K4VxkU0mCH-wFzgC7K7UlmJvIsXFcP5cL6koFFdQ6bxuoDu~PFq8wTkKR2cd7kVTOxQydyCAYvw98KkbrR1dpZu599dG977u1Nr9Hzo6YvuE2VzhDAjpFJdsZqwxZC7GI09H22fSxZTkI84zcEcYN7OXU2KYt0Hb7Ueho4deuw~Jhj~l3y49~kMLCxBbOkoj-VPvK6nu-zliuCmEk-abNiSd0a0TUGSJBe7tgf9LWKlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Berwyn, IL","date","2025-02-06T12:59:25Z","article","During the report to aldermen, Police Chief Michael Somedayman described recent technology and facility changes and answered council questions about privacy and procurement.

Somedayman said the department installed roughly 20 Flock license‑plate reader cameras around the city’s outskirts to alert officers when a wanted or stolen vehicle passes a reader; he credited the system with helping investigators identify suspects and said it assisted in a homicide investigation on Roosevelt Road. The department also launched a voluntary video‑sharing program that lets residents register private cameras so they can share footage with police.

On records and dispatch, Somedayman said the department migrated to a cloud‑based CAD and RMS product (Mark43) about five months earlier and described Berwyn as the first city or village in Illinois to move completely to a cloud‑based system, according to his report. He also said the department is building an expanded dispatch center with room for eight dispatcher consoles and is in talks with other agencies about consolidation; Somedayman noted state consolidation thresholds have changed over time and said Berwyn recently met the threshold that made consolidation optional rather than mandatory.

Aldermen raised privacy and oversight concerns. One attendee asked, “How would I know if my neighbor's camera is pointed in my way…?” Somedayman responded, “I don't have an answer for you,” and the council requested follow‑up on privacy protections and legal limits for camera sharing and LPR use. The transcript does not include specific written policy language or a legal citation for camera use or surveillance limits.

Council members also asked about the station renovation: whether independent audits or a cost‑benefit analysis had been performed, whether documents and contracts would be publicly available, and whether construction used local contractors. Somedayman said the construction contract was held by a larger construction firm that then contracted tradespeople; he said he did not have renovation contract documents available at the meeting and did not recall public input on the project. He said the renovation created a new training area, evidence processing area and a secure office for social workers.

On booking and intergovernmental arrangements, Somedayman said Berwyn houses prisoners for several neighboring municipalities under fee agreements and charges for transport to bond hearings. He said the new dispatch plans were being coordinated with the 911 board and that some agencies had expressed interest in consolidating, but final details remained to be worked out.

Council members asked the chief to provide additional financial and contract documentation and policy language on camera usage and data handling; Somedayman said he would compile answers and bring back documentation or identify appropriate finance and contracting staff to respond.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/5/25 - Police and Fire Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Chief Somedayman described the department’s Flock license‑plate reader network, a new cloud CAD/RMS system and planned dispatch expansion tied to consolidation discussions; aldermen raised questions about camera privacy, independent audits of renovations and access to contract documents.","taxTitle","Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",4224,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345405,"Berwyn chief outlines role of two social workers embedded with police; aldermen ask about library outreach and staffing",1605,734000,2339000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249236-2bd36d553df3732bafc51454027d12da&start=734&end=2339","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249236-2bd36d553df3732bafc51454027d12da/thumbnail_734000.jpg","/articles/6345405/Berwyn/Cook-County/Illinois/Berwyn-chief-outlines-role-of-two-social-workers-embedded-with-police-aldermen-ask-about-library-outreach-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345405-b3b588578684231764c420b14b9e8011/orig.mp4?Expires=1773588608&Signature=c9J16-0KcQ3gRMVrfTsUUVGbXlcJV-8NGFPRgefI0e0GtbhP9mx~lQbGWCQYWNqbxxnmeIO~8GnGpwmDJxeIhUuBTVWjxzkV-9Axid6zTculnW8jvnAqru7SykQYENUId7ZN1xxnNkeSh6MQsPTkRWbEv3oZuLr5IPAJZhRQTSFPTIpSqxa~W2lpV4sgLJMJv7NjNH4Pe4jnbmC9tfIoSQ0xYEDzweqe0g7d88fhLt3rslFjkOSQlkZwbxTWnvTwZcPMGcKGAU1VMnbQxxbFAV3k0IeldbxqC8avRKtdwGCwKFc43zown4ovifMZJA2Gx9XCZ2y7dnPZijjnPxLFmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Michael Somedayman told the City Council that the Berwyn Police Department has two social workers who respond to calls, provide crisis intervention, coordinate mental‑health and housing resources, and follow up with victims of domestic violence and child‑victim cases.

Somedayman said the social workers are contracted through Advent Health and are not department employees. “They are very beneficial to us,” he said, describing their roles in helping place individuals needing hospital evaluation or shelter and in following up with domestic‑violence victims.

He said one social worker generally works a daytime shift (approximately 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and the other covers an afternoon/evening shift (about 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.); both are on call for after‑hours needs when possible. Somedayman said the social workers accompany officers to scenes when appropriate and that the department provides secure office space as part of the station renovation so social workers can meet people without bringing them into the secure areas of the station.

Aldermen asked whether social workers could have a more visible presence at the public library during cold weather to engage people who shelter there. Somedayman confirmed conversations with Tammy Sheedy, Berwyn Public Library director, and said social workers have worked with library staff and with an outreach provider (McNeil) to reduce the practice of dropping people at the library; he said the problem had not recurred in recent weeks.

Council members asked about supervision and turnover. Somedayman said the social workers are contracted employees whose supervisor (surname Curcavella) works for the health provider; the department maintains a liaison—previously a deputy chief and currently likely Commander Mike Fellows—who coordinates with the contractor. He said turnover has occurred because social workers sometimes move on to other positions and that budget constraints prevent adding a third social worker at this time.

Council discussion included whether the social‑worker program’s activities, outcomes or data could be shared with the council; Somedayman agreed to compile additional information and said the department would provide further details on request.

The council’s questions and the chief’s answers distinguished the social workers’ field support role from formal law‑enforcement duties: Somedayman said social workers do follow‑up with domestic‑violence victims and assist with petitions for hospital evaluation, but they do not go out to de‑escalate incidents in place of sworn officers.","Chief Michael Somedayman described the department’s two contracted social workers, their duties, schedules and contract status with Advent Health; aldermen questioned whether social workers could increase presence at the library and who serves as departmental liaison.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6345410,"Berwyn police chief presents comprehensive departmental report to aldermen",1239,111000,1350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2249236-2bd36d553df3732bafc51454027d12da&start=111&end=1350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2249236-2bd36d553df3732bafc51454027d12da/thumbnail_111000.jpg","/articles/6345410/Berwyn/Cook-County/Illinois/Berwyn-police-chief-presents-comprehensive-departmental-report-to-aldermen","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345410-8b4a86522c16c0c55472f45d95105918/orig.mp4?Expires=1773588608&Signature=Rk6rHkG37qPqlT9lK6S2jFCHZTHMbN7KQIMEyrMF45NrMWJNAevaqRFtzYF9XXC6cjcVA6~7bw35x~C3nyzX-4qA0FYUUAegVJIuJcJG7Q-7f3JlQhso50LYAREMpq~uMGON~L28OmrSsL51KMV~cghFTYMOhKtCiGaI97BRYRN2QK20RSg0880Kqbpc1pUzME8PzH0GkpfB1fnG6K2Cr4bkK-1ll4kIw2YiCvqjpI6tGwBECGo0IxQ-pFHkfKUArsISP3sR2nLu6ml4nkOJQ9d4qWXpRiC6QE~fOrYIMAGMJzCPJgjHlnUxhl~jNewkgF5R0LTsBoNRt5yU0pKcZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Michael Somedayman delivered a detailed report to the Berwyn City Council outlining the police department’s organization, recent grants and new programs, and improvements to facilities and technology.

Somedayman told aldermen that “patrol is the backbone of the police agency,” and described the department’s major divisions including patrol, criminal investigations, youth investigations, tactical and task-force assignments, traffic, communications, evidence processing and records. He said patrol is organized into three shifts with three watch commanders and that every officer is equipped with a body camera and trained in crisis intervention.

The report summarized specialized units and partnerships. The department operates three K‑9 teams and participates in mutual‑aid and multiagency task forces, including the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) hostage/barricade and mobile field force teams, federal task forces (FBI, U.S. Marshals, DEA, ATF, HSI) and regional groups such as the West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force and WEDGE (West Suburban Enhanced Drug and Gang Enforcement). Somedayman said participation in federal task forces provides access to additional resources and asset‑forfeiture proceeds that can be used for vehicles, equipment and training.

He described school resource officer (SRO) coverage as five officers total: three assigned to Morton West High School and two covering middle schools; the SRO program includes gang awareness training (GATE). The department also runs a Police Explorer program for ages 14–20 and maintains an auxiliary police contingent of about 65 non‑sworn volunteers who assist at events, transport detainees and help with crowd control.

Somedayman reviewed training and community engagement programs, listing annual and mandated training blocks covering crisis intervention, trauma‑informed response, firearms, procedural justice and other topics, plus monthly online training. The community relations unit conducts crime‑prevention education and neighborhood engagement activities; the department maintains an honor guard and a therapy dog that visits schools and hospitals.

On technology, Somedayman said the department adopted a cloud‑based CAD and records management system (Mark43) and implemented a Flock license‑plate reader (LPR) camera network of roughly 20 cameras around the city. He said the LPR system has produced leads in several investigations, including a homicide on Roosevelt Road. The department also offers online reporting for certain incidents and a voluntary video‑sharing program in which residents may register home cameras for police access.

The chief reported the department received $1,063,668.35 in grants last year, funding items such as bulletproof vest replacements, traffic enforcement (seat‑belt and DUI enforcement), retail‑theft prevention cameras, tobacco compliance checks and the social‑worker initiative.

Council members asked follow‑up questions about how programs are staffed and funded, including the SRO certifications, allocation of grant funds and the staffing impact from increased workload tied to body‑camera footage management. Somedayman said body cameras have increased requests for video review and redaction, which requires staff time.

The council accepted the report and the chief said the document would be posted online the next day.

Less critical details: Somedayman said the department provides booking for neighboring villages under intergovernmental agreements, runs a communications unit of 19 telecommunicators and continues to develop a dispatch center expansion tied to consolidation conversations with other agencies.","Police Chief Michael Somedayman briefed the Berwyn City Council on department structure, recent grants, new technology and community programs, and fielded questions from aldermen about schools, social workers and station renovations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Berwyn police discuss cameras, cloud records system and station renovation; aldermen press for contract transparency and privacy answers

Berwyn chief outlines role of two social workers embedded with police; aldermen ask about library outreach and staffing

Berwyn police chief presents comprehensive departmental report to aldermen