Berwyn Police Blotter
Announcements
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
WARMING CENTERS OPEN IN CITY OF BErWYN
Due to the approaching inclement weather, we want to remind everyone of our warming shelter locations and to check on elderly friends or relatives to ensure they are safe in this bitter cold.
City of Berwyn Warming Centers:
Berwyn Police Department (24 hours) 6401 W 31st Street
Berwyn Public Library 2701 S Harlem Ave
Berwyn Recreation Department 31st Street & East Ave
Berwyn Cultural Center 6420 W 16th Street
Any senior citizen requiring special assistance with weather related shelter issues can also contact the Berwyn Police Department at 708-795-5600.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
More victims sought in ongoing groping case
August 19, 2009,
Berwyn police have arrested a doctor—already facing multiple sexual assault and battery charges—for practicing medicine while his license was suspended.
Dr. Ricardo Arze, 6925 Cermak, was initially arrested in September, 2007, after a joint investigation by Berwyn police and the Cook County sheriff’s department. Several of Arze’s patients had come forward complaining they had been groped during medical examination. Arze was charged with four felony counts of criminal sexual assault and 11 misdemeanor battery counts; he was also prohibited from seeing patients as a condition of his bond. His license to practice was then suspended by the state.
Berwyn police recently developed information that Arze was violating his bond by seeing patients once more. An undercover officer went to Arze’s office for an examination, during which Arze prescribed medication for that officer. Police arrived a short time later, interrupting Arze examining a female patient. He was arrested and charged with eight felony counts of practicing medicine without a license.
Anyone who has been a patient of Arze’s since 2007 and may be a victim is asked to contact the Berwyn Police Department at 708-795-2170.
Announcements • Miscellaneous • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Friday, August 07, 2009
August 1st: anti-gang/drug initiative kickoff
August 1, 2009
The Berwyn Police Department and mayor Robert Lovero announce the start of a comprehensive new anti-gang and anti-drug initiative. Changes include extra manpower for the Tactical/Drug Enforcement unit; initially four officers were assigned, but as of August 1, there are 13 tactical officers. In response to citizen complaints about gang and drug problems in their neighborhoods, the expanded unit will target “hot spots” in an effort to eradicate the criminal behavior.
A new gang intervention and prevention program is also being implemented, with the goal of getting between Berwyn youth and the influence of gangs. Participation and support will be needed to ensure the success of these programs; citizens are encouraged to contact police by phone or email with any information they feel may be important in assisting with this effort. All information will be kept strictly confidential and you are welcome to remain anonymous.
To provide information to Berwyn police, call 708-795-5600, ext. 3155. Emails should be sent to .
Monday, July 27, 2009
793 tickets written during grant-supported safety enforcement period
Two safety enforcement programs, underwritten by grants received through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) enabled the Berwyn Police Department to stop large numbers of speeders and resulted in a total of 763 citations.
The two campaigns overlapped and, together, ran from June 6 through July 6. The grant money provided Berwyn with an additional 282 hours of enforcement. Police stopped 615 vehicles; 417 speeding tickets were issued. Other offenses included 192 people not wearing seat belts; 31 unlicensed drivers, 45 uninsured drivers, and 20 child safety-seat violations. The locations for the added enforcement efforts were chosen based on Berwyn traffic crash statistics compiled during the previous three years.
IDOT grants fund speed/DUI crackdown
Berwyn Police department has received grants to fund an extra safety enforcement effort already underway. The enforcement period—with emphasis on speeders and impaired drivers—runs through August 15th and is in addition to normal daily enforcement. The grant money, administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation(IDOT), came from the U.S. Department of Transportation safety division.
According to IDOT, speeding is one of the most common reasons for accidents and was a factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes. Speed-related crashes frequently involve alcohol use, too; in 2004, 40 percent of legally intoxicated drivers involved in fatal crashes were also speeding. Berwyn police are actively targeting speeders throughout the city through the middle of August.
Friday, June 19, 2009
397 tickets given in May safety push
As part of a grant administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation - Division of Traffic Safety, the Berwyn Police Department conducted 6 Seat Belt Enforcement Zones between May 15 and May 31, 2009.
Berwyn police officers worked an additional 147 hours of enforcement during this period and recorded the following citations: 284 seat belt violations; 15 child seat violations; 27 uninsured drivers; 10 unlicensed drivers; 60 miscellaneous violations, and one warrant arrest. 286 vehicles were stopped, and police issued a total of 397 tickets.
Friday, June 05, 2009
ART CRIMES: Italian art, antiquities investigation complete; media briefing scheduled
Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be hosting a press briefing on Monday, June 8th, at 2:00 PM. Mr. Grant will be joined at the briefing by William R. Kushner, Chief of the Berwyn, Illinois Police Department (BPD) and representatives from the FBI’s Art Crimes Team in Washington, D.C.
Grant and Kushner will discuss the recently concluded investigation into the discovery of over 3,000 religious artifacts, books and antiquities in a Berwyn residence. Many of the items discovered in the residence were determined to have been removed illegally from Italy and will be repatriated to Italian authorities, later next week.
Some of the recovered items will be on display and a detailed listing of the recovered artifacts will be available.
The briefing will be held at the Chicago FBI’s headquarters building, located at 2111 West Roosevelt Road in Chicago, beginning at 2:00 PM.
Additional information about the FBI’s Art Crimes Program can be found at http://www.fbi.gov. Additional information about Monday’s briefing can be obtained from the Chicago FBI’s Press Office at (312) 829-1199.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Check of Berwyn parolees gets some shipped back to prison
June 4, 2009
A Parolee compliance check was conducted today in the City of Berwyn. The Illinois Department of Corrections(IDOC), Berwyn Police Department, and the Illinois State Police participated. Targets: a total of 51 parolees, with 28 parolees brought into the Berwyn Police Department for a compliance check. A total of 12 parolees tested positive for illegal drug use.
Four parolees were remanded to the custody of IDOC, which also issued two warrants. One parolee received a city ordinance violation for possession of cannabis.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Berwyn police to crack down on speeders, drunk drivers, thanks to IDOT grants
May 20, 2009
The Berwyn Police Department has been awarded traffic safety enforcement grants through the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety.
According to IDOT, speeding is one of the most common reasons for crashes. Nationally, in 2004, speeding was a factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes. 13,192 people died in speed-related crashes. Alcohol use is common among drivers involved in speed-related crashes. In 2004, 40 percent of the drivers who had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared with only 15 percent of sober drivers involved in fatal crashes. Only 14 percent of speed-related deaths occurred on interstates. Almost 6000 people died on non-interstate roadways with speed limits under 55 mph. The grants are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation and will be administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety.
The current enforcement period runs through May 31, and is over and above the regular daily traffic enforcement. Berwyn police will actively target impaired drivers, seat belt and child restraint violators, as well as speeders. During that time, police will conduct 7 Seat Belt Enforcement Zones at various locations around the city.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Happy Second Anniversary!
February 12, 2009
Berwyn Police Blotter has been on the web two years as of today! In its current incarnation, with over 6,000 entries, the Blotter has now had 1,366,971 hits. Many thanks to Blotter readers, a number of whom provide excellent tips and valuable insights. For a look at the first story—featuring a crack-cocaine arrest a block from city hall—here is a link to the original site:
Monday, February 02, 2009
Speeding/drunk driving crackdown starts today!
February 2, 2009
Throughout the year, Berwyn police will be working extra enforcement details to target speeding and potentially reckless drivers to reduce the number of traffic crashes in our city. The next enforcement period begins today—February 2 —and runs through March 1, 2009.
Nationally, in 2004, speeding was a contributing factor in 30 percent
of all fatal crashes; and 13,192 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes.
Drivers involved in speed-related crashes are often also drunk at the time of the crash. In 2004, 40 percent of the drivers who had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more, and were involved in fatal crashes, were speeding, compared with only 15 percent of sober drivers involved in fatal crashes. Only 14 percent of speed-related fatalities occurred on interstate highways.
Almost 6000 fatalities occurred on non-interstate roadways with speed limits under 55.
In Illinois, in 2004, speed was a factor in 43 percent of all fatal crashes. In
addition there were 589 deaths resulting from speed-related crashes.
Announcements • Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Berwyn Police put state safety enforcement grant to good use
January, 2009
The Berwyn Police Department has been awarded a Traffic Safety Enforcement grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety.
From IDOT’s press release:
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 5
through 24. In Illinois 1,248 persons were killed in 1,129 fatal crashed in 2007.
Many lives will be saved by changing public attitudes regarding the non-use of safety
belts and child safety seats. It has been shown that visible enforcement programs focusing
on these violations offer the greatest potential for changing these behaviors. To achieve a higher use of safety belts, child safety seats and booster seats.
In the period of beginning December 19, 2008 and ending on January 4,
the Berwyn Police officers worked an additional 63 hours of traffic
enforcement. Officers issued the following citations –
Speeding – 71
Seat belt or Child restraint – 87
Suspended, Revoked or Unlicensed Drivers – 12 arrests
Uninsured Motorists - 12
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Seatbelt checkpoints: 166 tickets and two outstanding warrants
December 1, 2008
Between November 15 - 30, the Berwyn Police Department conducted five Seat Belt Enforcement zones at several locations throughout the city. A grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation paid for the 117 additional hours officers worked during the two week period.
Police stopped 126 vehicles and issued a total of 166 tickets; 133 of these were for seat belt violations. Seven were for children not properly secured or in carseats. Ten drivers were arrested for driving with a suspended license or none at all. Eleven uninsured drivers were cited, and there were four miscellaneous traffic tickets written. A stolen vehicle was recovered during one stop, and two people stopped at the checkpoints had outstanding arrest warrants.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
FOUND DOG
September 7, 2008, 2:38 PM
In the 3800 block of Oak Park, police found a male poodle mix dog, white in color. The dog was taken to A-American veterinary on Roosevelt Rd. for safekeeping.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Dog stolen in front of own home
August 30, 2008
A dog was stolen from in front of his house at Oak Park and Pershing on August 30th. The dog, a small white male Bichon/poodle mix named Niko, apparently escaped his back yard and was walking in front of his house. Witnesses said a woman in a green minivan called to him, and was able to scoop him up and take him away. The owner is offering a reward, with no questions asked, for the return of Niko. If you have seen Niko or know where he is, please call Berwyn police at 795-5600, or the owner at 708-359-4744.
Announcements • Dogs, dog attacks • Theft • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink