Resident Comment Prompts Update From Police On Mokena's License Plate-Reading Cameras

Mokena IL

09 March, 2021

1:16 PM

Description

By Jon DePaolis, the Richard Free Press: MOKENA, Ill. – A resident question during public comment on if some of the new license plate-reading cameras were not working led to a brief update on the program Monday, March 8, during the Village of Mokena Board of Trustees meeting. The resident, Ed Donnelly, who called in by phone, said he had heard there were only six working cameras. Mokena Police Cmdr. Randy Stumpf told the Village Board members that after police received approval to purchase additional cameras, the area was pelted with snow – leading to a delay in installation. "We have 12 locations, and seven of [the cameras] are up and running since November," he said. "The other five, we were working on either a [memorandum of understanding or an intergovernmental agreement]. Those are all completed now, but by the time they [were], we had a lot of snow. Now that it has melted, they are able to start [installing those cameras]." Stumpf said one agreement was with Frankfort Township and Will County, but others were with private businesses and a resident so that the cameras could be placed on their properties. "I actually met with one of the techs last week to go over these last five sites, and they are going to start working on them next week to get these last five cameras installed," Stumpf added. He said he hopes the last five cameras will be working in the next few weeks. "It doesn't take very long once they are [installed] and the site is ready to go," Stumpf said. Fleischer thanked Stumpf for his work on the license plate-reading camera project. "Thanks for moving it along as quickly as you have," Fleischer said. Trustee Joseph Siwinski also thanked the police department during his comments to the board. "Our police department is doing a fantastic job, and they always have," he said. "I think we should recognize that with our officers and thank them when we see them. [But] remember: They can't do it alone. It takes everyone in our community." Siwinski asked residents to lock their automobiles and homes, as well as to say something if they see something suspicious. Trustee George Metanias added that if someone does see something suspicious to call the police and to not confront the person themselves. "You don't know if they are carrying guns or what they are doing," he said. Also during the Trustee Comments portion of the evening, Trustee Debbie Engler reminded those running for office this April about Mokena's political sign rules. "I want everybody to know that in Mokena we do have sign ordinance, so if your signs disappear from spots, I don't want you to think someone is stealing them," Engler said. "You can't put them on public property. If you do, our police officers or public works or whoever is driving around is going to pick them up and toss them. If you put them on lots that are private property, you need to ask the property owner. "Just be aware of that, so you're not saying that all your signs are disappearing. It's probably because you put them where they don't belong. So, please, think about that when you put your signs up." The Village Board members also voted unanimously 6-0 to approve three maintenance contracts: $74,910 to Beary Landscaping for the turf maintenance program, which includes grass cutting and trimming of Village-owned properties; $14,575 to Clarke Environmental for mosquito control; and $26,564 to McCloud Aquatics for pond maintenance of the 23 ponds located in Mokena. Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.