Lynwood officials report drops in violent and property crime, increased enforcement; fire department operating two ambulances

Lynwood public‑safety officials reported falling violent and property crime indices alongside increased traffic enforcement and said the fire department is operating two ambulances that generate revenue for the village.

The police chief provided department activity since the Dec. 10 meeting: 3,152 traffic stops, 29 arrests, 10 guns recovered, 830 building checks, approximately 309 domestic incidents, 303 ordinance violations and a total of 2,143 calls for service. The chief said the department expanded its staffing "by 36%," reduced the violent‑crime index by 22.5%, reduced the property‑crime index by 18% and increased traffic enforcement by 44.6%.

"It is an honor. You have made it easy, to be the police in this town," the chief said, thanking the board for support.

Fire Chief Austin reported 184 calls for service in the same period, including 133 ambulance calls, six accidents with injuries, two accidents without injuries, one vehicle fire, 12 smoke‑ or fire‑alarm malfunctions and other service calls. Chief Austin said the department is "fully staffed" and operating two ambulances.

During questioning, Chief Austin said prior to the current administration the village contracted ambulance service to a private provider for roughly 40 to 45 years; he said the two ambulances approved under the current administration are now in service and "revenue generating." Trustee questions on exact prior contract years were described as approximate in the meeting.

The board received the department statistics as informational; no personnel or budget actions were taken at the meeting.