City of Lake Forest, IL

OCTOBER 2022

Breast Cancer Police Patch Campaign

Police just wrapped up our Breast Cancer Awareness month campaign, raising awareness and funds with our commemorative Breast Cancer Police Patches. Officers were on hand for several planned and pop-up events to accept donations for the Posy Krehbiel Cancer Center at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital. The campaign raised over $5000! We’re thankful to everyone who contributed and to our community partners at Starbucks (both locations), Gerhard’s Elegant European Desserts, and the LF/LB Chamber’s Then and Now Car Show for allowing us to set up shop.

In 2016, we partnered with Coffee with a Cop and our local Starbucks to provide residents the opportunity for real conversations about issues that matter.

Thanks to everyone who added a few minutes to their coffee run to join us for a chat. We enjoyed meeting you.  We're grateful to our community partners at Starbucks Reserve, 672 N. Western Avenue and Starbucks, 840 S. Waukegan Road, for allowing us a safe space for dialogue with our stakeholders.

June 2022

Despite the rain, we had a great turnout for the Bike Rodeo!

We thank our sponsors, community partners, and vendors. We couldn’t do it without them.

The Lake Forest Police Foundation, AllStaff, Clucker’s, Chief’s Pub, Chipotle, CROYA, Dance Is My Everything, Donati’s, Fresh Market, Fill A Heart for Kids, Forest Orthodontics, Gerhart’s Desserts, Jewel-Osco, Jump Guy Inflatables, Lake County Sheriff’s, Lake Forest Fire Department, Lake Forest Parks and Rec, Lions Club International, Poke Bros. Rosati’s, SportClips, Starbucks, State Farm-Jeff Smith, Sunset Foods, Superior Pilates, Susy’s Swirl, Sweet’s, Wildlife Discovery Center, and Wonder Wheels.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we collected thousands of toys, games, and books this year!

For more than twenty years the Lake Forest Police Department has partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program as a collection point for new, unwrapped toys. The toys we collect are received at the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Unit-Great Lakes, and distributed to families in Lake County. Each year the community opens its collective heart and generously donates to support the primary goal of Toys for Tots: to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. More important are the objectives of Toys for Tots: to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign, and to contribute to better communities in the future.

November 2021

No-Shave November

Check out these officers! Officer Christensen and Officer DaiZovi (joined by some of their Lake Forest College Alums) are well on their way toward No-Shave excellence!

For the third year, members of the Lake Forest Police are participating in the No-Shave November Campaign.  The annual fundraising effort raises funds for many charities. Once again, we have chosen the 100 Club of Illinois.

The 100 Club of Illinois (formerly the 100 Club of Chicago) provides for the families of first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This organization offers several forms of financial assistance, access to resources, and moral support. All sworn federal, state, county, and local first responders stationed in Illinois are included.

Would you please help us support this vital resource by donating at
 https://www.100clubil.org/donate-now/? When donating online, please select “Other” then “Tribute Gift” and type in “Lake Forest Police No-Shave November” in the “Leave a comment” box. Thank you.

November 2019

Lake Forest Police will be participating in the No-Shave November campaign for the first time this year.

This is an annual fundraising effort to raise money for different charities.  The charity chosen this year is the 100 Club of Chicago.

The 100 Club of Chicago provides for the families of first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This membership-based organization offers several forms of financial assistance, access to resources and moral support.  All sworn federal, state, county and local first responders stationed in Cook, Lake and McHenry Counties are included.

Please help us support this vital resource by donating at https://www.100clubchicago.org/donate-now/. Donations made online can be noted “How did you hear about us?” Please select “Other” and type in “Lake Forest Police”.

June 22, 2019 Rescheduled to July 20, 2019 - Annual Lake Forest Police Department Bike Rodeo

Pre-Registration is open! You can download the registration form here, complete it, and email it, fax it, mail it, or drop it off at the Police Department. You can also print the form and bring it with you the day of the Bike Rodeo. There will be volunteers available to speed you through the regular check-in process.



This event gets better every year thanks to our dedicated staff, community partners, and volunteers. You and your kids will learn about bike safety and the kids will have a chance to show off their skills on the many challenge courses that will be set up.

Fun for the whole family: music, food, face painting and games, bounce houses, and PRIZES! Best of all, this event is FREE!

Join us on Saturday, July 20th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Deerpath and Oakwood parking lot (just west of City Hall). Rain date: July 13th.

Bring your bicycles and and don't forget your helmets. If you don't have a helmet, or need a new one, we will be giving them away for FREE to the first 200 participants!

September 15, 2018 - Cuffs vs. Hoses Benefit Softball Game

This event will benefit the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance’s “I Am Me” Burn Camp, a special one-week camp experience for children and teenagers who have experienced injuries from burns.  To learn more about the camp visit https://www.ifsa.org/programs/camp. For more information about our event contact Officer Paul Daizovi daizovip@cityoflakeforest.com.

June 2, 2018 - Annual Lake Forest Police Department Bike Rodeo

The Police Department is happy to report another successful Bike Rodeo, sponsored by the Lake Forest Police Foundation. Over 170 participants and their families attended the June 2nd event. Raffle prizes included five children's bikes and two Kiddles gift cards. 

Many thanks to the of Lake Forest Fire Department, Streets Department, Parks, Forestry & Recreation, CROYA, Building Maintenance, Community Development, City Hall, and the countless other volunteers for their help in making this event such a success! 

The following business and organizations were materially involved and/or donated to this event: Allstaff, BMX Champion - Marshall Gehrke, Bob's Pedal Pusher, Comfort Dog - Asher, Ernies's Towing, Fresh Market, Gurnee Police Department - Police Explorers, Havey's, Heinen's, Hop 'Til You Drop, Kiddles, Knollwood Fire Department, Lincolnshire Police Department - Police Explorers, Lions Club, Meathead's, M.E.S.S., Northshore Health Systems - Dr. Gulson, Operation LifeSaver, QBF Graphics Group, Rotary Club, Sunset Foods, Suzy's Swirl, Target, and Wildlife Discovery Center.

Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you next year. 

May 18, 2018 - Cop On A Rooftop

We "upped our game" for this year's Cop On A Rooftop event with the help of a hydraulic lift.

A sincere thank you to all those who generously supported our Cop On A Rooftop event this year for Special Olympics Illinois- Region B We raised a total of $1927.51 this year, more than double last year’s donations! Come join us for our next event to support Special Olympics in June for the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.



Also, a huge shout out to our community partner, Dunkin Donuts, for their support!

Click here to view more photos.

February 11, 2018 - Handcuffs vs. HosesLake Forest College 2018 Relay for Life Event

It was a great family event. Our sincere thanks to all who attended to cheer us on and donate to the American Cancer Society.

The Hoses (Fire Department) walked away with the trophy but wait until next year!

Check out the photos below and the article from The Lake Forest Leader.

    



 Thank you for supporting our mission!

Thanks to the generousity of our community, the Lake Forest Police Department collected hundreds of toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Annual Toys for Tots campaign. For many years we have served as a collection point for residents to drop off their toy donations. Every year the demand increases and the citizens of Lake Forest step up to fill the need.

September 11, 2017 - Patriot's Day in Market Square

The flag in Market Square was lowered to half-staff in honor of Patriot's Day. Members of the Lake Forest Police Department Honor Guard, along with the Lake Forest Fire Department, veterans, and community members attended a brief ceremony to remember the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Officer Aaron Kruchko read the Peace Officers Prayer and the Fire Department rang the bell. 

   



The 6th Annual Lake Forest Police Department Bike Rodeo is back on!This FREE EVENT will take place at the Deerpath-Oakwood parking lot on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 10 am to 2 pm. The entire family will enjoy a day of fun, food, games, giveaways and prizes. Kids, bring your bike and helmet to try your skills at the many safety stations. Be sure to catch BMX Champion Marshall Gehrke as he demonstrates  his award winning skills.

BE SAFE!
                      BE SMART!
                                             HAVE FUN!

Bike Rodeo - September 30, 2017Great news! This year we will have Express Check-In for those who pre-register here. Please submit your form by Saturday, September 23, 2017.

There are 2 Express Check-In options:

• Click here to download the registration form to complete and submit via email.
• Click here  for a fillable form that can be completed and printed, or printed and filled out by hand. Drop off or mail the completed form to the Lake Forest Police Department, 255 W. Deerpath, Lake Forest IL 60045. or fax to 847-615-4382.

You can also print the form and bring it with you on the day of the Bike Rodeo, There will be volunteers available to speed you through the regular check-in process.

Cop on a Rooftop - May 19, 2017On Wednesday, May 19th the Lake Forest Police Department staked out our local Dunkin Donuts, 620 N. Western Avenue, to heighten awareness and raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.

A big thank you to all those who braved the wet and frigid temperatures to assist us with our fundraising effort. The 2017 Cop on Rooftop event raised $1,026.87. We appreciate the generosity of our donors and offer our gratitude to our partners at Dunkin Donuts for hosting the event.



Police Department to host a Town Hall Meeting on December 5, 2016 at the Gorton Community CenterLake Forest Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) leaders Commander Rick Anderson, Detective Wendy Dumont and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Linda Porter will host a town hall meeting to explain the benefits of the newly established CIT program, designed to enhance communication in the community and assist families and individuals in crisis.

The police department, with the help of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), is providing support for those who have a child with mental illness and education and support for families who have adult relatives with mental illness.  If a family member has an Autism Spectrum Disorder, you can learn how to make the Lake Forest Police and Fire Departments aware of certain protocols, should there be an interaction with your family member.

The Town Hall Meeting will be held on Monday, December 5, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the Stuart Room of the Gorton Community Center, 400 East Illinois Road, Lake Forest, Illinois.For additional information, please contact Detective Wendy Dumont at 847-810-3819 or dumontw@cityoflakeforest.com.

National Coffee with a Cop Day October 7, 2016Thank you for joining us at our first Coffee with a Cop outing.

Chief Karl Walldorf, Deputy Chief Rob Copeland, Detective Commander Rick Anderson, Sergeant Brett Marquette, and Officers David Miniscalco and Ed Yep welcomed residents with coffee and pastries. Coloring books and temporary tattoos were offered to the younger visitors.

Our thanks to Starbucks for hosting with us.

Click here for photos.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a police officer in the City of Lake Forest? 

You might be amazed what you can learn about the men and women of the Lake Forest Police Department, what they do and why they do it.

The 21st session of our Citizens Police Academy begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016. This free 10-week program is designed to promote and enhance understanding and awareness of the role of the Lake Forest Police Department in the community. Click here if you want to know more!

 Click here to see what's in store for the Fall 2016 participants!



The Lake Forest Police and Lake Forest Fire Department held a Public Safety Open House on September 25, 2016. About 1200 people stopped by during the 3-hour event and observed fire and police demonstrations. Tours of the Public Safety Building were available and numerous vendors and organizations were on hand to share their services and explain how they interact and work with public safety. Much thanks to the Lake Forest Police Foundation, AAA and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Lake County, IL Government State's Attorney Michael Nerheim's office, Glenview Public Safety Dispatch Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment, LEAD, Gurnee Police Department's K9 unit, Boofhead BBQ, Brightside Clinic, Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT). Lake County Major Crimes Task Force (LCMCTF), Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) Emergency Services Team (EST) and Mobile Field Force (MFF), and Operation Lifesaver Inc. for helping make this such a successful event.

The support from the community and all those who attended the open house is much appreciated.

Police Department at the 2016 Public Safety Open House

Lake Forest Day Parade

Members of the Lake Forest Police Department and their families gather to walk with board members and volunteers of the Lake Forest Police Foundation at the 2016 Lake Forest Day Parade. This year marked the 108th edition of Lake Forest Day, sponsored by the American Legion Post #264.

Click here for the video.



Old school! Deputy Chief Rob Copeland drives the vintage Lake Forest Police Department squad car in the parade.

2016 BIKE RODEO - May 21, 2016A HUGE thank you to all of our volunteers, community sponsors, attendees, and Officers who attended the Lake Forest Police Department Bike Rodeo Sponsored by the Lake Forest Police Foundation.

It was our best one yet!

300 helmets that were donated by the Lake Forest Police Foundation were given away.

Thank you to Metropolitan Emergency Support Services for preparing the hot dog lunch that Sunset Foods donated.

Thank you to Bob's Pedal Pusher and Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Lions Club for donating 4 and 2 bicycles respectively for our raffle and providing accessories as giveaways.

Thank you to Andrews Staffing and QBF Graphics Group for providing the 400 volunteer and participant t-shirts.

Thank you to Ed Johnson DJ Service, Marshall Gehrke, and Croya for providing entertainment, laughs, and face painting.

Thank you to Hop Till You Drop for providing the bounce houses.

And thank you to our vendors and community partners that provided their time and giveaways: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Kiddles Sports, Dunkin' Donuts, Forest & Bluff Magazine, The Fresh Market, Glenview Public Safety Dispatch, Heinen's, Sport Clips Lake Bluff, Metra, Lake County IL Sheriff's Office, Lake Forest Professional Firefighters - Local 1898, Lake Forest Police Department Citizen Police Academy Alumni, Lake Shore Pediatrics, Lawmen Racing, Inc., Lincolnshire Police Department Explorers, McDonald's, Meatheads, Orangetheory Fitness Lake Forest, Subway of Lake Forest, Illinois, Sweet Pete's Candy, and Target.

View Photos

COP ON A ROOFTOP - May 20, 2016

The Lake Forest Police Department joined forces with Dunkin' Donuts Lake Forest to help raise funds for Special Olympics Illinois on May 20, 2016. With the new Dunkin' Donuts store, this was the first time the event was possible in Lake Forest. Customers and passersby were very generous in donating $1,951.00 to the wonderful cause. Thank you to all who stopped by and gave so substantially to make this such a successful first event

UNDERAGE DRINKING AND THE LAW: A TOWN HALL - May 17, 2016A  Town Hall meeting organized by Sgt. Zelk and LEAD was held at Gorton Center. The crowd of about 30 attendees learned about underage drinking and the Administrative Hearing process. School Resource Officer Ben Grum spoke on the issues of underage drinking and fake IDs while Commander Craig Lepkowski spoke on the Administrative Hearing process. LEAD Executive Director Andy Duran offered research and tips on parental strategies. The hour-long presentation concluded with a questions and answers session.