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Police report: about 29–30 fireworks calls over July 1–5; council discusses tougher enforcement and traffic detail request
Summary
Deputy Chief Ryan Dobbsick told council there were roughly 29–30 fireworks-related calls from July 1–5 and six citations issued; council members urged planning changes for next year and asked staff to discuss targeted enforcement and coordination with the park district. A resident reported a near-miss at a four-way stop and the police offered to set up a traffic detail.
Deputy Chief Ryan Dobbsick told the Crest Hill City Council on July 6 that the police department received about 29–30 calls for fireworks starting July 1 and issued six citations (one written warning later became a citation). "We did write six citations," Dobbsick said, summarizing enforcement during the holiday period and noting that staffing and weather limited enforcement in some high-call areas.
Dobbsick said several calls fell outside city jurisdiction — in county areas adjacent to city neighborhoods — and that heavy rain hampered enforcement efforts on some days. Council members expressed concern about enforcement strategy for next year and suggested rethinking when details are scheduled and whether to dedicate more officers to peak nights. One alderman said neighborhood block parties (with barricades) complicated enforcement and asked for closer coordination with the park district and neighboring agencies.
During public comment resident Kathy Abele described a near-miss at the four-way stop at Michigan and McGillivray on July 4, saying a vehicle came within about two feet of striking her around 6:30 a.m. Deputy Chief Dobbsick offered to meet immediately after the meeting to set up a targeted traffic detail and to consider enforcement options, including tickets or a detail that could issue citations.
