As usual, you'll want to buckle up—yourselves and the kids—before taking to Oak Forest streets. 

Throughout November, Oak Forest police will be watching for seat belt and child restraint violations. 

“We want everyone to have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday,” said Deputy Chief Dominic D’Ambrosio.  “That’s why we’re stepping up our patrols and encouraging people to buckle up while traveling for the holidays.”  

Unlike previous campaigns that were paid for in full by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this campaign will be partially funded by the City of Oak Forest.   

“Unfortunately, those state and federal agencies had to make some tough budgetary decisions,” said Mayor Hank Kuspa.  

“We decided to make up the difference because we feel it is important to have extra officers on the streets during the holidays when more people are traveling through town. It will give us additional peace of mind knowing there are extra boots on the ground looking out for our community.”  

The holiday enforcement campaign is the first in a six-part program to promote traffic safety by conducting saturation patrols in pre-assigned areas.  The STEP grant includes other holidays, such as Christmas/New Years, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

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