2018 OP Fall/Winter

PUBLIC SAFETY

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Conversion of Residential Street Lights

The Orland Park Public Works Department is converting residential streets lights to LED, light emitting diode lighting. “The village has been working on the conversion from high pressure sodium vapor street lights to LED lights for a number of years,” said Trustee Kathy Fenton, chair of the village’s Public Works Committee. “The ComEd rebates of more than $231,000 will help offset the cost of the project.” LED lights are more durable than current lights and depreciate at a slower rate. LEDs do not contain toxic chemicals and they reduce overall maintenance costs. “Our plan is to convert every residential street light to an LED fixture,” said Director of Public Works John Ingram. “Cities across the country have converted to LED because it’s energy efficient, environmentally friendly and delivers a significant electrical cost savings. Those savings are estimated to be more than $95,000 annually.” Ingram continued, “In subsequent years, we will begin replacing village owned light fixtures on streets maintained by the state and county. Special review and permits are required to make changes at these locations. We are also looking at decorative lighting at a number of locations including the historic area and parking lot lights at different village and Metra parking lots.”

“The reduced maintenance costs are significant with LED lights,” Fenton added. “LEDs don’t have filaments that burn out quickly. They last a long time.” Orland Park subdivisions already converted to LED lights include Greystone Ridge, Deer Haven Estates II, Parkside Square, and El Cameno Terrace. Nearly 2500 high pressure sodium fixture heads will be replaced with LED heads between October and December, 2018. Existing light poles will remain the same. All of the ComEd lights, typically on wooden poles in Orland Park have been converted to LED.

Orland Park is working with the CTS Group on its conversion, a company that specializes in reducing energy consumption and project management. Using information provided by Public Works, CTS Group will audit each light pole to verify the location and current wattage to ensure an appropriate replacement is obtained. “Because of their energy efficiency and long lifespan, LED streetlights are advocated as a means for reducing carbon emissions. According to one estimate, converting all American light fixtures to LEDs would halve the amount of energy used for lighting in the country [source: Rosenthal and Barringer],” wrote Jacob Silverman for “How Things Work.” Light levels can be controlled with LED lights and not being ultraviolet, they do not attract bugs.

Follow OPPD on Social Media

such as burglary to motor vehicle and crimes of opportunity. The Orland Park Police Department has joined its counterparts across the country with this national initiative. Follow the Orland Park Police Department: @OrlandParkPolice @OrlandParkpd @orlandparkpolice

Residents can count on regular features, such as “Wanted Wednesday.” The weekly post asks the public to help identify a person of interest wanted in a crime or to help locate a person with an outstanding warrant. The first “Wanted Another initiative is called #9PMroutine, encouraging residents to set their alarms on their phones or inside their homes for 9 p.m. as a reminder to remove valuables from their cars, to lock vehicles and house doors, and turn on outdoor lights. These steps will help deter crime Wednesday” posted Jan. 31 has reached over 12,000 people.

The Orland Park Police Department uses social media to keep the community informed. The department regularly posts on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. The police department uses social media as an investigative tool when seeking evidence or information about missing persons, fugitives or knowledge about a particular crime. The public will be notified with time-sensitive notifications, such as major traffic incidents, weather emergencies, or police action in a specific area that poses a potential threat to the community.

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| FALL/WINTER 2018 | WWW.ORLANDPARK.ORG |

WWW.ORLANDPARK.ORG | FALL/WINTER 2018 |