Chicago Ridge Police Department

An AWESOME police officer is hard to find … Difficult to part with … and IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET … ❤️

Today we remember one of our own … Officer Steven Smith #125 🚔 Gone but NEVER forgotten!

‼️Please see advisory alert from the Cook County Animal & Rabies Control.‼️

❤️🤍💙 We solemnly remember the lives lost and honor the heroes who bravely stepped forward.

Our hearts are with the families affected by the tragedies of 9/11. 🇺🇸

Heads up Chicago Ridge ... TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC ... Please make sure to use alternate routes and please make sure to give yourself extra time during peak hours.

**The Village of Chicago Ridge has been informed by Illinois Department of Transportation that the 95th Street ramp to Harlem Avenue will be closed from Monday, September 14th to sometime in December.**

Please see the attached link for more information,
https://illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com/95th-street-ramp-to-harlem-avenue-to-close-sept-14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2026

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF WEAPONS BY A FELON

Offender:
Damian Borkowski, 26
Hickory Hills, Illinois

Charge:
One (1) Felony Count – Unlawful Possession of Weapons by a Felon

Court:
September 5, 2026 – 9:00 AM
Leighton Criminal Court House
2650 S. California Ave., Chicago

Narrative:
On September 4, 2026 at approximately 7:28 am, a Chicago Ridge Police Officer conducted a welfare check on a subject lying on the grass by a business in the 10200 Block of south Harlem Ave. The officer observed the subject (offender) sleeping in a fetal position on the grass, at which point the officer asked if the subject was ok. The offender then woke up and rolled over, at which time the officer observed a fi***rm in the waistband of the offender. The officer retrieved the fi***rm from the offender, until he could determine if he had a valid concealed carry license. The officer learned that the offender did not possess a valid concealed carry license in Illinois. A subsequent check revealed that the fi***rm was reported stolen out of another jurisdiction and the offender was a convicted felon. The offender is charged with the above charge.

No additional information is available at this time.

**Emergency Cooling Center, 10655 Oak Ave, Today Tuesday, September 1st from 9am-7pm**

It is forecasted to be 92-95 degrees and may produce a Heat index in the range of 100 to 103 degrees.

That said, Chicago Ridge Emergency Management located at 10655 So. Oak Ave will serve as a cooling center for those looking to and or needing a place to escape the heat. Tuesday, September 1st, from 9am-7pm.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 20, 2026

2026 DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER CAMPAIGN

This Labor Day, We’re Serious About Saving Lives

Every day, law enforcement officers in Illinois witness the devastating aftermath of impaired driving — crashes that leave families shattered and lives forever changed. These tragedies are entirely preventable. And yet, people continue to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or using drugs like cannabis. It must stop.

This Labor Day, the Chicago Ridge Police Department is joining more than 200 agencies statewide as part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI” enforcement campaigns. Backed by the Illinois Department of Transportation and its “It’s Not a Game” media effort, this campaign sends a clear message: If you drive impaired, you will be stopped, and you will face consequences.

Our job as law enforcement isn’t just to write tickets. It’s to save lives. When we pull someone over for impaired driving, we’re doing it because we don’t want to respond to yet another crash that didn’t have to happen. Drunk and high driving kills. Period.

Driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or any other drug is illegal — and dangerous. It endangers everyone: the impaired driver, their passengers, innocent motorists and pedestrians. The choice to drive impaired is not just reckless; it's potentially fatal.

This isn’t about scaring people — it’s about being honest. We’ve seen too many families lose loved ones because someone thought they were “okay to drive.” They weren’t. And now those friends and families live with the consequences forever.

If you're planning to celebrate Labor Day, make a plan to get home safely. Use a designated driver, a ride share, public transit — anything but getting behind the wheel impaired. Your life, and the lives of others, depend on it.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign runs through Sept. 7, but our commitment to preventing impaired driving never ends. Because for us, it’s not about a holiday or a headline. It’s about doing everything we can to make sure everyone gets home alive.

CONTACT:
Corporal Ostrowski #302
(708)-425-7831

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2026

Public Indecency/Lewd Exposure

Offender:
Fares Hijazi, 20
7300 block West 85th Place
Bridgeview, Illinois

Charges:
One (1) Misdemeanor count – Public Indecency/Lewd Exposure

Court:
September 9, 2026 – 5th District Court House
10220 S. 76th Ave, Bridgeview
9:00 AM – Room 102

Narrative:
On August 09, 2026 at approximately 9:18 pm, the Chicago Ridge Police Department was dispatched to a business located in the 10100 block of South Harlem Ave for a public indecency complaint. Upon arrival officers spoke with a victim who advised that the above offender was ma********ng while following her in the business. The victim confronted the offender, at which time the offender left the business prior to officers arriving. Chicago Ridge Police Detectives investigated the incident. On August 12, 2026 the offender was charged with the above charge.

No additional information is available at this time.

Oh man … not again …

Come out October 10th to support our officers who have done an AMAZING job raising money for a GREAT cause!

Sadly due to weather the LETR Five-O has been postponed again 😞 this time to October 10th.

**There are NO Solicitors approved to go Door-to-Door in the Village of Chicago Ridge!!**

The Village Board takes Door-to-Door solicitations very seriously. There is a rigorous process to be approved and to date NONE have ever been approved to knock doors in the Village of Chicago Ridge.

Please know the Police Department is always aware that No Solicitors are allowed and encourage all residents to call 911. The Village understands that some residents may be hesitant to call 911, but if a solicitor is argumentative or aggressive in their tactics, please join us in protecting your neighbors by calling 911.

Note: The Village's Door-to-Door Ordinance has been in place since 2014, and NO one has ever been approved. If a solicitor is telling you they have Village approval they are lying and potentially predatory! Please call 911!