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Police, Park District and partners to host National Night Out Aug. 5; backpack giveaway set for Aug. 6

2025-08-02 | Prospect Heights, Cook County, Illinois

Police department staff told the Fire and Police Commission that the department will participate in National Night Out on Aug. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will be held on Elm Street, near the Gary Morava Center and Lions Baseball Park, and will include free food, children’s games, music, an open community swim and displays of police and fire equipment. Staff said the Park District organizes the event in coordination with the police department.<br>Staff also announced a backpack and school-supplies giveaway on Aug. 6 at the east-side park off Apple Drive, hosted by Omni Youth Services in coordination with the police department and other community partners. Last year, staff said, organizers gave away “a couple [hundred]” backpacks; organizers expect a similar or larger number this year. Omni conducts fundraising and maintains collection sites and donation information on its website.<br>A commissioner asked how members of the public could donate supplies; staff indicated local businesses, residents and schools collect supplies and Omni runs fundraisers on its website to support the effort.<br>Ending: Staff encouraged community participation in both events and said they provide outreach opportunities and direct services—especially for families preparing for the school year.

Speed-awareness day July 23 led to DUI and numerous citations, police report

2025-08-02 | Prospect Heights, Cook County, Illinois

Police department staff told the Fire and Police Commission that on July 23, 2025, the department participated in a speed-awareness day organized by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Officers on both day and night shifts concentrated on speed enforcement, occupant protection and distracted-driving violations.<br>Staff said the enforcement day produced one DUI arrest and multiple citations and warnings for speed and occupant-protection and distracted-driving violations. The department described the event as a coordinated awareness campaign rather than a grant-funded program.<br>A commissioner asked whether the effort was part of a special grant; staff replied it was an ILACP awareness campaign coordinated with other agencies.<br>Ending: The department characterized the day as “very productive” and encouraged continued participation in coordinated enforcement and education campaigns to reduce crashes and fatalities.<br>

Police eligibility roster exhausted; department advertises for lateral and entry-level officers

2025-08-02 | Prospect Heights, Cook County, Illinois

Police department staff told the Fire and Police Commission that the department’s eligibility roster for police officers is exhausted and the list is officially closed after three active applicants either withdrew to pursue other opportunities or did not respond.<br>Staff said the department has posted advertisements on Blue Line for lateral certified officers, entry-level officers and part-time positions, and has also advertised with the National Testing Network to broaden the applicant pool beyond Illinois. The department described Blue Line as having stronger local reach and noted that postings move quickly down the list after publication.<br>Interviews for part-time officers are underway; staff said they will move forward with background checks on two applicants who “look promising.” The department said it is looking to hire three part-time officers and is preparing for an anticipated full-time officer retirement later this year.<br>A commissioner asked specifically about the testing agency used for recruitment; staff confirmed the National Testing Network is being used alongside Blue Line.<br>Ending: No formal hiring motions were taken at the meeting; staff said they will return with updates as background checks and recruitment proceed.

Police: July 6 east-side shooting under active investigation; license-plate reader captured vehicle but PTZ camera was down

2025-08-02 | Prospect Heights, Cook County, Illinois

Police staff told the Fire and Police Commission that an attempted murder investigation from July 6, 2025, on the city’s east side remains active and detectives have developed leads that may link a suspected offender to crimes in another municipality.<br>The department said automated license-plate-reader (ALPR) cameras supplied by Flock captured the offending vehicle’s plate and an image, but Condor PTZ surveillance cameras in the area were down and did not record the incident. Staff said the Condor equipment in that location was part of an early installation that became obsolete; the vendor later replaced it with newer units under the department’s contract.<br>The department issued a press release about the shooting and said detectives are following “very good potential leads” and working to connect evidence across jurisdictions. The investigation is ongoing and no arrests were reported at the meeting.<br>Police staff declined to provide further operational details at the commission meeting.<br>Ending: The department emphasized the ALPR capture as a useful lead while noting the loss of PTZ footage limited their available video evidence. Detectives continue follow-up with other agencies and will update the commission when the investigation yields formal charges or additional public details.