Crime Stats 2009-2010: Hit and Runs Up, Total Crimes Down

While crime rates as a whole fell in Orland Park between 2009 and 2010, the number of hit and runs, batteries and drug arrests rose markedly. Most notably, hit and runs increased sevenfold in the course of one year, from four to 27.

Chief Tim McCarthy said it’s impossible to know with certainty what caused the hit-and-run fluctuation.

“Some (drivers), in fact many of them, will always say that they didn’t realize they hit anybody, and some are probably true and some are probably not.”

However, he added, it’s possible that the poor economy caused more people to seek a police report for insurance purposes rather than simply cough up the repair dough.

What’s more, batteries increased villagewide between 2009 and 2010, from 72 to 78—about a fifth of which occurred on and around . On Sept. 9, a woman shot another woman while . The victim was treated for her injuries at Silver Cross Hospital.

Controlled substance violations include the possession, use or intended distribution of highly potent narcotics such as cocaine and heroin. They increased 17 percent in 2010, from 29 to 34, although the number of hypodermic syringes recovered by police decreased in the same period from 103 to 69—only 10 of which were found on people near the mall.

McCarthy said it’s also difficult to pinpoint the direct cause of drug-related fluctuations, but noted that its decline could have something to do with efforts along the country's border and in major cities.

“When the supply gets disrupted, you see the supply cut down,” McCarthy said.

Offenses related to marijuana, criminal damage to property and even drag racing also fell throughout the village. There were five reported drag races on and around mall property in 2009 and only two in 2010—both years reflecting about a fifth of all drag races reported throughout the village.

While fewer people raced cars, the number of motor vehicle thefts went from three to seven in the same time period. However, there were half as many reported burglaries from motor vehicles.

Crime stats for 2011 by particular police zones are not yet available—though stats for select offenses throughout the entire village are. They show that thefts and marijuana-related violations are on pace to rise.

Select crimes throughout the village for 2009-2010:

Hit and Runs

(Source: Orland Park Police Department)