Oak Park has opened new ways for people to report issues to both police and village staff via the village’s website.
Oak Park has launched a new “Police to Citizen” portal that allows people to report non-emergency incidents to police and updated an online form that lets people ask for help from the village on other matters, the village announced this week. The tools offer a new way for residents to get access to services already offered by village hall.
The Police to Citizen portal can be used to report a variety of non-emergency issues that occur in Oak Park but should not be used to report incidents involving violence.
“This portal can be used for instances that involve theft, lost property or damaged property,” the village said of the program. “This does not include someone physically taking something from your person or any instance where an injury occurred or a weapon was involved. Some examples of instances where this system can be used, package delivery theft, graffiti on your property, property that is missing from your home or leaving items in a restaurant, items stolen from your garage or yard or vehicle, keying of a vehicle, etc.”
The village said incident reports made via the portal that require mental help services follow-ups or other social services support for residents in need will be coordinated through the village’s E.C.H.O. program, the alternative response program the village introduced earlier this year.
Residents can also use the portal to request traffic accident reports. Most of those reports can be made available instantly through the portal after a requester pays a $5 fee, but reports on certain accidents like those involving juveniles, significant injuries, hit-and-run incidents or fatalities will still require a formal Freedom of Information Act request, the village said.
Oak Park’s newly updated “Report an Issue” online form will make it easier for residents to report problems and get help from the appropriate village department, the village said.
“This user-friendly tool allows residents to easily report non-emergency service requests to the Village of Oak Park,” the village said. “Developed through a collaboration between the village’s Public Works and IT departments and Municipal GIS Partners, the platform streamlines communication between the public and village staff.”
Most of the issues well-suited to be reported using that form fall under the Public Works department including problems related to garbage, potholes, streetlights, sidewalks and water and sewer systems.
Residents can also use the online form to make business complaints, report health issues, animal issues, permit issues and parking issues. You can also submit general questions for village staff through the form.