Average Of 1 Firearm Seized Every 5 Days In Orland Park: Chief

ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park Police Chief Joseph Mitchell gave a semi-annual police department activity update at Monday evening's Committee of a Whole meeting. During this update, Mitchell touched on topics ranging from the most common types of arrests to the Youth Supervision Policy at Orland Square Mall.

The police chief kicked off the conversation discussing violent crimes, comparing statistics from 2020 to 2021. Robberies have remained at the same level, but aggravated assault and aggravated battery have decreased from 10 incidents to six, according to Mitchell.

Property crimes such as theft and motor vehicle theft have also decreased within the past year, Mitchell said. However, the chief detailed an increase in burglaries Monday evening. In 2020, police reported nine incidents, but in 2021, 11 have been reported so far.

A major talking point during the presentation surrounded Orland Square Mall and retail theft. According to Mitchell, the busiest night for retail theft at Orland Square is Wednesday. The chief said Simon Properties' Youth Supervision Program and an increased police presence are proactive measures authorities are taking.

"It has lowered our call volume to the mall substantially," Mitchell said. "Hopefully it is addressing this ridiculous perception that the mall is not safe."

Diving deeper into the Youth Supervision Policy, Mitchell said more than 5,000 youth have been denied entry into the Orland mall on Friday and Saturday nights. He also said that since the policy was put in place, there have been zero juvenile retail thefts or code of conduct violations that resulted in an arrest or municipal violation during curfew hours.

"We are the safest mall in the Chicagoland area," Mitchell said. "We've got the data to prove it, and this Youth Supervision Program adds to that impact."

Calls for service are at their highest on Tuesday, and lowest on Sunday, according to Mitchell. Calls for mental health services have increased 38 percent in 2021, while there has been a 12 percent decrease in psychiatric committals.

"One in five people in the U.S. have some form of a mental illness. According to N.A.M.I. Over 49 million people suffer some form of mental illness in America," Mitchell said. "Why is there is a 9 percent increase? Some of it has to do with social media, we are having discussions and meetings with people and there is a community out there letting people know that if you have a mental illness, that's OK. We're trying to reduce that stigma because if you need help, we're here to help you."

Mitchell then got into "the bad news," stating weapon offenses are up. According to Mitchell, the department is averaging one firearm seized every five days in Orland Park.

There were a total of 39 gun related arrests in 2021, Mitchell said. The presentation lists that 80 percent of the offenders were previously arrested, including eight for a prior weapon offense. There have also been 18 aggravated unlawful use of weapon arrests, three unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, six unlawful use of a weapon, one concealed carry license violation and two ghost guns seized.

Related: Orland Park Decriminalizes Carrying Guns Into Prohibited Areas

"These are not just your standard everyday weapons, these are high-caliber weapons with a lot of ammunition." Mitchell said.

Wrapping up his presentation, Mitchell spoke before the board stating, "If you commit a crime in Orland Park, we are going to find you, and we are going to arrest you. We're going to do everything we can. And with the support of the village board here time and time again, we have the tools to do that."