Specials


The Countryside Police Department has taken the lead in police technology from putting a police helicopter in the sky to being the first to use hands-free technology in their cars.

The Countryside Police Department has taken the lead in police technology from putting a police helicopter in the sky to being the first to use hands-free technology in their cars. The department is proactively working to make the City a safer place.

Police helicopter program
Countryside Police Chief Timothy Swanson spearheaded the effort to put a law enforcement helicopter in the air. Through the Illinois Regional Air Support Service, a non-profit professional organization, they secured a surplus Department of Defense OH-58 turbine powered helicopter.

The Illinois Regional Air Support Service (IRASS) was the first helicopter available for homeland patrol duty in Illinois. Countryside saw this need and has taken the lead in protecting the collar counties and starting a regional law enforcement aviation program.

Helicopter information:
  • Focus on Homeland Security, counter drug and other public safety in Chicago's collar counties
  • Program launched in November with Friday and Saturday night shifts
  • Police officers and pilots are all volunteers
  • Helicopter equipped with police radio, search light, new avionics, mapping, digital video recorder and camera
  • Service is available to all communities through the Illinois Law Enforcement System, www.ileas.org
  • 40+ communities in support, with donations of $40,000

    Visit the Illinois Regional Air Support Service Web site for more information.

    Project 54
    The Countryside Police Department has eyes in the sky and now with new technology their eyes are always on the road.

    They are the first and only department in Illinois to use Project 54, hands-free, voice activated technology. It allows officers to keep their eyes on the road at all times and pay more attention to their surroundings.

  • Officers use voice activation to control vehicle functions such as the siren, lights, radar and video camera
  • Officers soon will be able to run a license plate by saying it aloud and having the information read back
  • Officers press a button on the steering wheel - a reprogrammed cruise control switch -- and recite commands to turn on and off operations
  • Project 54 technology can be customized for each department
  • Named after the television show, "Car 54, Where Are You?"
  • Developed by University of New Hampshire researchers

    Countryside Police Department also has installed a wireless network allowing officers to access police department data from their squad cars. From their cars officers can do such things as:
  • Access arrest records
  • View mug shots
  • Print computerized tickets
  • Input data for police reports
  • Record video, which is automatically transferred to the station

    Media coverage:
    11/14/05 Chicago Sun Times

    1/7/2006 Suburban Life


    • enter email address
    If you are having difficulties viewing the videos please click on this link.
    2010 Fall Recreation Guide

    City of Countryside's 50th Anniversary Party in the Park
    Back to Home | Contact Us

    © Copyright 2010 City of Countryside | 5550 East Avenue | Countryside, IL 60525
    Legal Disclaimer