Southwest Suburban Safety Meeting to Address Public Safety Concerns

Orland Park, IL (November 13, 2023) - The Village of Orland Park, Village of Tinley Park, Orland Township, and the Office of Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison are pleased to announce the upcoming Southwest Suburban Public Safety Forum. This event aims to bring together community members, experts, and local leaders to discuss pressing issues and enhance regional public safety efforts.

The meeting will take place on December 12 from 7-8 p.m. at the Orland Park Civic Center, located at 14750 S. Ravinia Ave. in Orland Park.  The public safety forum will be moderated by Orland Township Supervisor, Paul O’Grady. The panel of speakers includes Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau, Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz, Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, Orland Park Police Chief Eric Rossi, and Interim Tinley Park Police Chief Thomas Tilton. 

Mayor Keith Pekau of Orland Park emphasized the significance of ensuring safety during the holiday shopping season, stating, "We want our local shoppers and visitors to feel secure while enjoying their shopping experience. We have implemented measures to ensure their safety and will discuss safety tips during the forum."

“I’m looking forward to gathering with a shared purpose – to address pressing issues that affect the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Pekau. “By working together, we can effectively share strategies and initiatives that will enhance public safety and make our communities safer for everyone.”

During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to address their concerns and submit questions to the panel. Questions can be submitted either by passing them to the end of the aisle or by texting them to the forum organizers on site.

The panel will address as many questions as possible within the allotted meeting time.  The topics to be discussed include an overview of crime rates and trends in the region, strategies to address these trends, and measures in place to ensure the safety of local shoppers and visitors during the holiday shopping season.

Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz offered a welcome to possible attendees, stating, "We look forward to your presence and engagement in this event. We are stronger when we work together and this is a great step to ensuring our already safe communities stay that way." 

The panel will also discuss the implications of the SAFE-T act and how policies and operations are being adjusted accordingly. Mental health and crisis intervention in public safety responses, staying up to date on emerging technologies, collaboration between retailers and law enforcement, and the regional efforts to enhance public safety will also be covered. 

Cook County Commissioner Morrison referencing the possible implications of the SAFE-T Act, noted “It is crucial for us to understand the implications of this Act and how they impact the area. We will discuss the adjustments in policies and operations to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.”

The organizers of the Public Safety Forum encourage all residents of the Southwest Suburban area to attend and actively participate in this important discussion. Notepads and pens will be provided to all attendees, and questions will be collected throughout the meeting.  The Public Safety Forum will also be livestreamed via the Village of Orland Park YouTube channel.

For more information about the Public Safety Forum, please email safetyforum@orlandpark.org.