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Residents press Tinley Park for permanent fixes after repeated crashes on 167th Street; village assigns enforcement and plans study
Summary
Neighbors described repeated crashes on 167th Street between Harlem Avenue and 70th Avenue during public comment at the Sept. 16 Tinley Park meeting. Village officials said police were assigned to enforce speed limits immediately and that staff will order an engineering study to identify permanent traffic-calming solutions.
Several Tinley Park residents urged the Village Board on Sept. 16 to pursue permanent traffic-calming measures on 167th Street between Harlem Avenue and 70th Avenue, citing repeated crashes that have damaged homes, garages and mailboxes.
"Numerous accidents have occurred along 167th Street," resident Kelly Dostalova told the board during public comment, saying some collisions have resulted in homes being destroyed and that pedestrians, including children using two nearby parks, face hazards crossing the street. Dostalova suggested options including marked pedestrian crossings with flashing beacons, flashing warning lights at the curve, landscape barriers or decorative boulders, and asked the village to assign staff to perform a formal safety and engineering review and report back with permanent alternatives, timelines and possible costs.
Village President Michael Glotz responded that the village had acted immediately after receiving the complaint, sending enforcement to the area and assigning officers to a dedicated detail. "That next day...they put out a detail, of just having police bridal and sit on 167th Street," Glotz said, and indicated the village manager ordered a command-staff meeting and reassigned personnel to focus on the corridor. He said officers have been stopping and ticketing many drivers and that weekly reports are provided to the board.
Trustee Shaw emphasized that enforcement is a short-term response and that a permanent fix requires road-design changes and engineering analysis. "The long-term solution really is some traffic calming measures to redesign the roads," Shaw said, urging study and investment to reduce speeds. Chief Tilton (police) added that targeted traffic missions would continue and command staff had instructed shift sergeants to maintain enforcement.
Other residents who live on 167th Street described repeated mailbox damage and personal property losses; one resident said her home was destroyed in a prior collision. Officials said they will continue enforcement and will order a formal study to recommend permanent solutions. The board did not vote on an item tied to this subject at the meeting; trustees asked staff to pursue engineering review and continued enforcement.
