La Grange Officers Unnecessarily Speeding?

La Grange IL

15 June, 2021

5:11 PM

Description

LA GRANGE, IL — A La Grange trustee on Monday brought up a resident's concern about police officers speeding on Cossitt Avenue in response to emergencies. During a meeting, Trustee Beth Augustine read an email from the resident, who requested that "police monitor their need to drive 40 or greater miles per hour in a residential area when they are also enforcing traffic regulations." "She was concerned at the pace at which some of our officers may be coming down our streets, which is a very valid," Augustine said. "I would ask what is our policy that our officers would use to allow themselves to really step on it and go at an unsafer, quicker speed." In response, interim Police Chief Jason Cates said it was important to regularly stress to officers to be aware of their speeds and drive safely at all times. "If it is during the daytime when children could be present, it does not make sense for (officers) to be driving in excess of 40 miles per hour. That's something we can take back, and I would be more than happy to share the details of that email," Cates said. "It's probably one of those things that are officers tend to lose sight of. When they get that emergency call, they focus on getting there as quickly as possible, so they can render aid."