Programs
911 Cell Phone Bank
The 911 Cell Phone Bank is an organization that provides refurbished cellular phones to give emergency communication for those in need. If you wish to donate your used cellular phones, please drop them off at the police department non-emergency desk anytime. If you have any items that go with the phone, such as instructions, extra batteries or power cords, you may include those as well.
If you would like further information, please visit www.911cellphonebank.org.
CAUGHT BEING GOOD
The Park Ridge Police Department “Caught Being Good” program in partnership with local businesses has been established to reward citizens observed in random acts of kindness, good deeds or involved in positive community activities. This program helps build positive relations between the Police Department, local businesses and the community.
Police Department Personnel will be supplied with coupons from several local business including 7-Eleven and McDonalds. The coupons will be handed out to adults and children in the community demonstrating acts of positive behavior. Appropriate “acts” might include helping another person, wearing a bicycle helmet while riding or skating, deterring crime, etc.
CERT (COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM)
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, light search and rescue, team organizations, and disaster medical operations.
Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in neighborhoods or workplaces following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking an active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
For more information on the CERT program in Park Ridge, please feel free to contact Officer Michael Luehr at (847) 318-5252.
Citizens Police Academy
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The Park Ridge Police Department (PRPD) is beginning its sixth Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA) class. Held twice a year, generally in the Spring and again in the Fall, the 10-week long CPA class introduces participants to a variety of topics including: the officer testing/hiring/training process, multi-jurisdictional resources, PRPD Traffic Unit, DUI enforcement, traffic stops, computer crime, identity theft, PRPD Investigations Division, use of force, firearms training, evidence processing, and the PRPD Major Crash Unit. In addition, a special guest speaker from the Cook County States Attorney Office and a local, nationally known forensic dentist provide additional information and insight.
What is the Citizen’s Police Academy?
The Park Ridge Police Department supports the concept that communication and education has been most effective in gaining understanding and support from the community. Through implementation of the Citizen Police Academy, our department hopes to offer citizens new insights into how police officers perform their duties, as well as how the department services the community.
History
In 1977, the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, Middlemoor, Exetor in England established the first "Police Night School". The pilot course indicated that a ten-week course was sufficient to meet the basic information requirement. This initial group quickly developed friendships, which enhanced discussion, and it became apparent n the early stages of the course that the most informed members of the public were
actually unaware of the complexities of police work.
In 1985, the first Citizen Police Academy in the United States was established in Florida, by the Orlando Police Department. The well-publicized Academy was such an instantaneous success, it led to the formation of academies throughout the United States.
Mission of the Academy
The purpose of the Citizen Police Academy is to foster better communication between citizens and police through education. The Academy will create a nucleus of well-informed citizens who possess greater insight into police practices and services. It is hoped that graduates of the Academy will share this new knowledge with other members of the community as the opportunity arises. Everyone benefits from enhancing citizen understanding of the role and function of their police department.
Put another way, going beyond the various topics of instruction, the essence of the academy concept is to provide a mechanism for educating the public about the criminal justice system and the role the Park Ridge Police Department plays that is more reflective of everyday police work, all in an effort to ultimately increase the understanding between citizens and police. Goals include building a partnership with the community through increased communication between participants and the police as well as educating our officers about the perceptions and concerns of our citizens.
Some of the specifics of the academy are as follows:
Who: Anyone who lives or works within the City of Park Ridge that is 21 years of age or older.
Requirements: No felony convictions and pass a simple background check. Applicants will be notified in writing as to whether they have been accepted, denied or placed on a waiting list for a future class.
Duration: 10 Weeks
When: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday Evenings from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Dates: Varied Spring and Fall
What: Classes will include a combination of discussion and hands-on experiences ranging in such topics as Evidence Processing, Traffic Unit functions, Investigations, Multi-jurisdictional Response Teams, Firearms Safety and Training, and more.
Cost: Free
Participants will also have the option of conducting a ride along with a police officer on patrol.
Those wishing to apply, or just seeking more information about the Citizens' Police Academy, can contact the Park Ridge Police Department at 847-318-5252. Applications may be downloaded by clicking
here, or can be picked up in person at the Police Department located at 200 S Vine Ave.
If there are any questions, please contact Lieutenant Jason Leavitt
Grafitti Removal unit
The Cook County Sheriff’s Police Graffiti Removal Unit responds when it receives reports of grafitti on public or private property. This service is provided at no cost. Clean ups are done in Park Ridge on Wednesday's. Click here to request graffiti removal services and for additional information.
Home Security Check Program
Is your home secure? Let the Park Ridge Police Department assess the security of your home. A home security assessment is designed to allow you to take a fresh look at your home security. By reviewing home security measures through the identification of security risks both inside and outside the home, homeowners are in a better position to take appropriate action to correct any problems to prevent themselves from becoming a victim of a crime. Click here to download a Home Security Checklist. If you would like an officer to assist you in assessing the security of your home, contact the Community Strategies Officer at (847) 318-5233 to schedule an appointment.
MOBILE EYES
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The Park Ridge Police Department is inviting local businesses to team up and participate in our latest crime prevention program, “Mobile Eyes”.The Mobile Eyes program operates on the principle that the best crime prevention resource any community can have is its citizens. Mobile Eyes, is a Fleet Watch type program which enlists the help of businesses whose jobs take them out into the community. Each employee represents an additional set of eyes and ears for law enforcement. Participating vehicles can be identified by a bumper sticker.
Simply put, Mobile Eyes is neighborhood watch on wheels. Participating companies in the Mobile Eyes program receive training on “how” and “when” to report incidents to police. Armed with nothing more than a cell phone or two-way radio, taxis, couriers, and truck drivers can deliver a strong message to criminals that they are committed to reporting suspicious activity.
Any business interested in participating in this program may contact the Park Ridge Police Community Strategies Division at (847) 318-5233.
Parent Patrol Program
The purpose of the Parent Patrol Program is to build a partnership between community and police in developing a response to underage drinking parties. To provide a deterrent to initiating underage drinking parties.
Description:
A group of trained citizens (at least 21 years old) will be available on designated Friday & Saturday nights (9 pm to 1 am) to respond to in-progress underage drinking parties. The role of the party patrol is to observe the situation, assess the police actions taken and if requested by the police, to help contact parents of any underage teens. The Parent Patrol may assist in a follow-up visit with the parents.
Volunteers will be trained and issued a departmental identification card. Volunteers may either be stationary (responding from their home) or provide mobile patrol similar to our Citizens’ Patrol, or be stationary at the station.
The Parent Patrol will make observation of vehicles and teens in the area. Volunteers will not attempt to apprehend or confront any teens.
Volunteers are subject to criminal background checks.
Training Required (2 hours):
Understanding of Juvenile Law as it relates to UAD. Explain the difference between prosecutions of DUI vs. UAD. It will be important for volunteers to be able to support police in their ability to describe the law and rules surrounding adults vs. youth.
Understanding of adolescent addiction science as it relates to alcohol (brain development, increased addiction rates, etc.).
Understanding of local resources – counseling, drug testing, MCYAF.
Understanding of their role to support and educate parents, not to preach, or condemn.
Dealing with angry parents.
Role-play.
Roles of the Parent Patrol:
1. Foster a strong, collaborative and positive relationship between members of the police department, parents and their kids of all ages.
2. Promote the safety and security of all members of the Park Ridge community.
3. Foster the highest degree of quality of life in the constituencies that make up the City of Park Ridge.
4. Increase communication between the department and the community, especially with our your people.
5. Achieve a greater degree of collaboration between the department and the community.
6. Help and assist families with situations involving underage alcohol usage.
7. Provide a positive adult presence at both school and community events.
8. Enable both police and parents to offer positive role models to our children.
"No soliciting" stickers available
The City of Park Ridge “No Solicitation” ordinance is in place for the protection of the community. If you are suspicious 
about persons soliciting or peddling, contact the Park Ridge Police Department at (847) 318-5252, who can verify that the person is engaging in a licensed activity. If you are not interested in having any solicitor at your residence, you may request one of our new “No Soliciting” stickers from the Police Department, free of charge, to be placed on or near the main entrance of your property. Such sticker so exhibited shall constitute sufficient notice to any solicitor of the determination by the owner or occupant of the premises to forbid solicitors from entering upon such premises. For more information regarding the ordinance visit www.parkridge.us
Park Ridge Citizens Patrol
This year, the Park Ridge Citizens Patrol is celebrating 31 years of service with the City of Park Ridge. Their total membership is
comprised of approximately 43 members; of that number 35 are active and 8 are inactive (retired).
The Citizens Patrol continues to assist and support the police department and the City with the following activities and events: Anelise Run, Taste of Park Ridge, Park Ridge Charity Classic, Park Ridge Senior Olympics, National Night Out, Fire Department Open House, Merchants Carnival, railroad crossing problems, fall storms, floods, power outages, Teen Movie Night, numerous crime scenes and various additional callouts throughout the year.
The Citizens Patrol is always happy to welcome new members.
PARTY WATCH
Going out of town and leaving young adults at home? Request a Party Watch for your residence in order to deter underage drinking parties. The Park Ridge Police Department will strive to maintain a generalized presence in the area surrounding your residence while you are away. You must supply us with local emergency contact information. Stop by the Park Ridge Police Department and complete a Party Watch Request form and an Emergency Contact/Authorization form.
Premise Alert Program
The Premise Alert Program is part of a state initiative to assist people who have a physcial or mental impairment, or an increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavior, or emotional conditionand who also requires health and related servicesof a type or
amount beyond that required by individuals generally. To obtain a form click
premise alert.
PROJECT CHILDSAFE
The Park Ridge Police Department will provide a free firearm safety kit to local residents through a partnership with Project ChildSafe, the nationwide firearms safety education program. The safety kits, which include a gunlock that fits most types of handguns, rifles, and shotguns, are available to Park Ridge residents at the Police Department. The goal is to prevent a child or any other unauthorized person from accessing a firearm in your home.
By partnering with Project ChildSafe, the Park Ridge Police Department is participating in a growing national effort to promote firearms safety education to all gun owners. You must present a valid FOID card when requesting a safety kit. (http://www.isp.state.il.us/foid/)
Stop by the Park Ridge Police Department to pick up your kit today
Safe Haven
The police department had taken an active role in promoting awareness of the Illinois Newborn Infant Protection Act, also known as the "Safe Haven" law by displaying a "Safe Haven" sign at the entrance to the police department. The sign identifies a "safe haven" location that is staffed 24/7.
Illinois law designates the police department as a safe haven where a newborn can be handed to police personnel anonymously, no questions asked, and without fear of prosecution. The purpose of this program is to save the lives of newborns that might otherwise be unsafely abandoned. The program was instituted in 2007 and to date, no babies have been brought to the station.
Senior breakfast club
The Senior Breakfast Club was developed to meet with area seniors for breakfast and to discuss issues such as recent crime trends, safety issues and other topics. Officers and guest speakers meet local seniors on a monthly basis to speak about a topic, or to be on hand to address questions or concerns.
Location: Park Ridge Senior Center, 100 South Western Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068
Date: Third Tuesday of the month
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Registration: Call the Park Ridge Senior Center at (847) 692-3621
POlice Department Tours
Tours of the Park Ridge Police Department are available for scouts, school groups and other organizations. Please allow 45 minutes for a complete tour which will include the police facility and squad car (weather permitting). To arrange a tour of the Park Ridge Polcie Department, call Officer Julie Genualdi, Community Strategies (847) 318-5233 or complete this form and return it to the Park Ridge Police Department, 200 South Vine Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068 ATTN: Officer Genualdi
TRADING CARD PROGRAM
The Trading Card Program is designed to increase the positive contacts between the Police Department and the children of the community. Each member of the Department has a trading card (like a baseball card) and kids, 12 and under, are encouraged to collect the cards from each member. Each child that collects the complete set of cards (55 total), will win a prize. The contest will run from June 1st through November 1st. Contact the Community Strategies Division to claim your prize and Good Luck!
*For your safety, only approach an officer when he or she is NOT in the process of performing their police duties.