2010 Riverside Police Department Accomplishments Chief Thomas Q. Weitzel Village of Riverside 1/1/2010
February 2011 tweitzel@riverside.il.us Office of the Chief of Police Village Manager Peter Scalera Village President Michael Gorman and Board of Trustees Citizens of Riverside Dear Village Manager Scalera: I am pleased to provide you with the second annual Riverside Police Department Accomplishment Report for calendar year 2010. This report was prepared as a snapshot of Riverside Police Department's accomplishments as it relates to our mission of providing law enforcement services to the citizens and business community of Riverside. I am very pleased with the accomplishments and progress summarized within this publication. Furthermore, I trust that you, along with the Board of Trustees and residents of Riverside, will find this report to be informative and a fair representation of the dedication and commitment to service that the sworn and civilian members of the Riverside Police Department exhibit on a daily basis. Sincerely Tom Weitzel Thomas Q. Weitzel Chief of Police Contributing to this report were Deputy Chief John Krull, Sgt. Dave Krull, Sgt. Bill Gutschick, Sgt. Frank Lara, Sgt. Frank Pontrelli, Communications Officer Jean Stuczynski and Pamela McCall.
2010 RPD ACCOMPLISHMENTS PEERS Railroad grant - secured funds to implement defined and targeted education & enforcement programs and reduce train-vehicle collisions and incidences of trespassing on railroad property. Safety material and TV monitors were purchased and installed at train station and police lobby that continually broadcast public safety information for citizens. IMaGE Traffic Safety grant - secured funds to reduce fatal and injury crashes through increased enforcement of DUI, speeding and seatbelt violations. During this period, we successfully reduced injury and fatal crashes. Also received incentive awards; handheld radar units and portable breath testers. Traffic Stop Statistical Study RPD participated in an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) statistical analysis study of motor vehicle citations and warning citations issued concerning race. Tobacco grant - used to educate and enforce tobacco compliance laws through retailers that sell tobacco products. Car Fax/Docview As of May 2010, this company now manages RPD s traffic crash/accident reports. Citizens, lawyers or insurance companies can now obtain copies of the crash reports via the internet through Docview. There is no cost to Riverside to use Docview, and Riverside still receives a copy fee. Using Docview also allows Riverside Detectives to access valuable information that was once not available from throughout the County, State and other areas. Government Pay Net Up until November 2010, bonding from the Riverside Police facility using a credit card was very cumbersome and time consuming. Government Pay Net upgraded their system and now, when using a credit card to bond, only a credit card swipe through the card reader is required. The system is now user friendly and makes bonding out quicker. As with the past Government Pay Net system, there is no cost to the village.
C3 Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan (TICP) As of November 2010, this project (originally stemming from the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our country) is ongoing. The plan is to enhance effective communications between Federal, State and local frequencies during an extraordinary event. Even though the project is on track, funding for many radios may become an issue. E-Ticket Project In February 2009 and ongoing into 2010, the Cook County Clerk s Office and Court System began to implement a ticket writing system that works from the patrol car to transmit citation information directly to the Circuit Court Clerk s Office. The system is designed to help streamline reports that are submitted to the Clerk s office several times a week. As of December 2010 the project is up and running, but with numerous computer issues. However, this project is worthwhile and it is anticipated it will be completed in 2011. MCR Accident Reporting Beginning January 2009 and ongoing in 2010, this program was designed to complete accident reports directly from the patrol car and send the information straight to IDOT saving time and money. So far, the State of Illinois is continuing to fund this project and new software is on the verge of being purchased by the State. As long as funding continues, this reporting system should be implemented within Riverside in 2011. Narrowbanding Beginning in 2009 and ongoing in 2010 (through 2012) Riverside Police Department Communications Center completed all requirements for the 2010 deadline on narrowbanding. All FCC licensing was updated as mandated and the department is ready to narrowband as required before the 2013 deadline. Intensified Traffic Enforcement In October and November 2010, areas within the community; especially around schools were targeted for specified enforcement. Speed and other traffic violations, like cell phone usage in school zones, were enforced. This intensified enforcement was a success with numerous citations being issued. This type of enforcement was well received within the community and will continue into 2011 and beyond. Replacement of Voice Data Recorder Upgraded existing Mirra voice data recorder which was no longer supported by manufacturer. The replacement voice data recorder is a digital unit capable of recording multiple radio, telephone, and E9-1-1 calls, with enhanced search, playback and recording storage capabilities.
Traffic Calming Trailer Purchased a traffic calming trailer from Applied Concepts that displays vehicle speed while capturing date, time, direction of travel, etc., for use with a software program for traffic pattern analysis. Trailer was purchased using DUI Prevention Funds and is deployed on residential streets as part of the traffic enforcement program. Closed Circuit TV Upgrade Additional CCTV cameras were added to further secure the police department lower garage, the fire department upper level garage and the parking area. The additional cameras were connected to existing recording equipment providing enhanced security to Village resources. Replacement of NetClock Time Sync Equipment - Upgraded existing NetClock time sync equipment which was no longer supported by manufacturer. The replacement NetClock is enterprise capable and provides documented time accuracy to all equipment on the Village s computer network, and has a back-up time keeping device in the event of an equipment or electrical failure or loss of contact with the satellite used to transmit the correct time. Combined Training With North Riverside Police Department, RPD completed Advanced Force Tactics training. By combining this training, overall costs were reduced for this critical judgmental, interactive, and computer generated use of force training. Keltron Alarm Monitoring System - Partnered with Fox Valley Fire and Safety, the police department communications center began transition to a wireless alarm monitoring system for residential burglar, fire, and trouble alarms. Weather Monitoring System - A state of the art Weathertap weather monitoring system was installed for 24 hour, up to the minute weather updates, enabling both the Police and Fire Departments to be more prepared for inclement weather, and allowing for quicker resident notifications.
Transition to New Squad Graphics and Paint Scheme Most of the patrol fleet was transitioned to a black and white paint scheme to project a more professional, traditional, and easily recognizable symbol of law enforcement for our residents and the general public. Along with the new paint scheme, new graphics were selected with the input of department members. RPD used funds collected by the circuit court from traffic fines and earmarked for use on patrol vehicles.