South Suburban Police Target Speeders Distracted And Impaired Drivers On Harlem Avenue

Nine south suburban police departments will be collaborating on a month-long traffic initiative focusing on Harlem Avenue, a traffic hot spot notorious for crashes and aggravated speeding. Chicago Ridge police will be joined by police departments from Worth, Palos Hills, Palos Heights, Bridgeview, Bedford Park, Orland Park, Chicago and Cook County Sheriff’s Police.

Motorists can expect to see increased patrols throughout the month of April, which is also Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Cell phone use—specifically, texting, talking, and social media use—has become the most common distraction. Other risky actions include adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating and drinking. Distracted driving robs drivers of seconds they may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash.

The Chicago Ridge Police Department was instrumental in organizing the collaborating agencies. The announcement for the initiative came days after an alleged hit-and-run driver struck a 56-year-old man crossing the 7100 block of Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview with his wife early Sunday morning. The man did not survive. Chief Rick Mancha, of the Bridgeview Police Department, said communities along Harlem Avenue are doing their best to keep accidents down.

“I tell my officers that if you have nothing to do, drive up and down Harlem Avenue,” Mancha said. “At least be a deterrent.”

All the participating police departments will be increasing patrols along Harlem until the end of the month. Throughout the traffic initiative, officers will be focusing on the "Fatal 4" traffic violations—speeding, seatbelt use, distracted driving and impaired driving. The Fatal 4 have been statistically shown to be the leading causes of injuries or death in vehicle crashes.

“When I was growing up, Palos Heights had a reputation as a town you had to slow down in and couldn't drive drunk. We want the same thing to come back,” said Deputy Chief John Parnitzke, of the Palos Heights Police Department. “Our March stops doubled from 2025. Our young officers bring a reenergized focus and are aggressively pursuing aggravated speeders.”

In Palos Heights, Partnitzke said officers wrote 19 violations during the overnight hours of April 1, the first day of the traffic initiative.

“Even last night we stopped an aggravated speeder,” Parnitzke said. “If anything else, it’s visibility. If people see our officers stopping cars, they’ll slow down on our stretch.”

Residents perceive speeding as a major issue on Harlem and believe traffic enforcement is lacking, especially after a shocking crash last September at a Harlem Avenue intersection known for accidents in Chicago Ridge. A 22-year-old Oak Lawn man riding as a passenger in his 19-year-old friend’s car was killed, and two people in the second car were critically injured. The 19-year-old was detained on charges of aggravated DUI causing death, aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm, and reckless homicide.

Parnitzke said his department fields more complaints about side street speeding and aggressive driving than on the major roads.

“Harlem Avenue is what we know,” the deputy chief said.

Speed radar signs and other signage will be posted up and down Harlem, reminding people to drop their phones and slow down. The goal of the initiative is to change bad driving behaviors.

“Continued enforcement will not be a one-time thing. We’re going to get on this and follow up as much as we can,” Mancha said. “I want to make a difference, not just write a ticket.”