Police Show off New Eagle

An eagle has landed in Forest Park.

And village officials aren't exactly sure where to put it.

It will be on public though, for this bird is pretty special - especially to the police department.

It is a trophy Police Chief Jim Ryan brought by to show commissioners Monday night after the department picked up the first place award in the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Challenge.

It was the first time the department entered the competition, Ryan said.

The news was announced in the community's regular e-newsletter last month.

The department earned first place overall for a department with 35 to 50 sworn members on the force. Forest Park also received plaques for speed awareness and bicycle/pedestrian safety.

Departments were required to address specific issues and report their efforts in the the following areas: policies and procedures, officer training, traffic safety recognition, public information and education, and accident reduction and effectiveness.

They evaluated the creativity of the programs as well. Ryan told commissioners that Off. Tom Hall, who spearheaded the project, rode a cemetery lawn mower and sat at bus stops clocking the speed of cars. Chase cars always stood by, he said.The measures were effective in reducing speed on DesPlaines and reduced overall accidents last year.

The village also did a lot to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists to use the streets. "Pedestrian safety is huge and we addressed it on Madison Street," Ryan said.

"I'm proud of the department. They did a great job," he said.

Mayor Anthony Calderone agreed. "I know you're proud of performance of the police department, and it shows," he said. "We'll find a nice place to put this on public display."