Cook County FPD Board Approves Contract for Tasers and Body Cameras for Officers

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - December 17, 2019

Board Reports and Actions:

• Report from Dept of Permits, Rentals and Concessions  was given on the 2019 Customer Service Survey.  People who held special events/picnics in groves were surveyed on a weekly basis during the summer and these results were reviewed weekly to assess and improve areas of operation.  Customer satisfaction increased in 2019 over the last year.  The permit, landscaping/maintenance, and law enforcement staff received the highest ratings.  After starting this survey in 2018, ratings for overall experience are still high.  
• The board approved  a contract for taser weapons and body worn cameras for the Forest Preserves Law Enforcement Dept.  This was passed to aid in the safekeeping of thousands of visitors to nearly 70,000 acres of Forest Preserves property of trails, picnic groves, nature centers and campgrounds.  In the rare situation, tasers will allow officers to de-escalate  active resister and assailant subjects to avoid the use of deadly force with body cameras documenting encounters with citizens.  Addition of tasers will be for the safety of citizens and for law enforcement officers.
• Authority was given by the board for the Forest Preserves to submit a portion of Elizabeth Conkey Woods located in the villages of Crestwood and Palos Heights to the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission for review as the first step for its formal dedication as an Illinois Nature Preserve.  This designation preserves/protects Illinois' natural areas and endangered species habitats from rapid changes in land use/expanding urban development.  The Forest Preserve of Cook County currently has 25 dedicated Nature Preserves and 4 Land & Water Preserves. 
• The board approved the Forest Preserves Cook County Calendar of Events for the winter season: December 17, 2019 to January 21, 2020.  Events include bonfires, snowshoe and outside activities.
• The board approved Brookfield Zoo increasing admission fees. 

Retirements Noted

• Thomas Nissly retired from Chicago Botanic Garden after 24 years, having served as Executive Vice President, CFO, Treasurer.  He joined in 1995 with a background in accounting/financial matters including issues of non-profit institutions.  The Chicago Botanic Garden had its origins in 1890 as the Chicago Horticultural Society.
• Cynthia Moreno retired from the position of Director of the Conservation and Experiential Programming Dept after seven years of service.  This department is responsible for all public educational and outdoor recreational programming and community outreach/engagement.

Two Illinois Association of Park Districts Awards given:

• Intergovernmental Award given to the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Housing Authority of Cook County for their partnership/working together on the Conservation Corp's Forest Preserve Experience Program.  The Conservation Corp provides paid summer hands-on employment restoring natural areas for high school youth and adults from diverse communities/populations.
• Award for Best in Green Practices for Forest Preserves of Cook County for its Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Plan.  This plan includes environmentally friendly policies/strategies for climate change impacts to its lands and ecosystems.

Observer - Michele Niccolai