“For many years” Morrison, IL, Chief of Police Brian Melton has “been trying to get this piece of equipment for the City.” He desrcibed the Message Variable Speed Trailer shown at left. On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, he learned Morrison Police Department is one of 25 recipients of a grant from the ComEd Powering Safe Communities Program.
Earlier this year, public agencies from across communities that ComEd serves submitted grant applications. These were reviewed by an advisory committee comprised of public safety, local Government, and allied professionals.
The Annual Powering Safe Communities Program supports community resiliency with $170,000 in funding for public safety initiatives. To enhance public safety and quality of life in communities across northern Illinois, ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus announced on Wednesday grants of up to $10,000 each, to 25 public agencies through the ComEd Powering Safe Communities Program. From digital messaging and speed notification signage to cameras that help locate victims in danger, the projects address critical safety needs in the communities ComEd serves.
Chief Melton “tried to get grants, due to the cost” of the trailer, which is “between $15,000 and $20,000. The trailer was budgeted for this year” in anticipation of receiving a grant. Those monies, he said, will cover “$7500 to just under $10,000” he estimated.
“Anytime you have a limited staff, when you add safety equipment, it helps us be more effective. We will add decals to personalize it for Morrison Police Department.”
Melton hopes to have the trailer in use during Paint the Town in September.
The All Traffic Solutions ATS5 unit is designed to get drivers’ attention and indicate information rapidly. It can be employed around the clock, due to battery and solar power. The trailer will be used
- in emergency response situations
- to divert traffic
- for speed enforcement during big weekend events
- to note lane closures or pedestrian traffic ahead
- for quick speed studies, data collection
- one-way communication for road hazards
- enforcement campaigns
- other “traffic calming” situations.
Since 2015, during the past four grant cycles, ComEd collaborated with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, a council for Chicagoland’s chief elected officials, on public policy issues and to fund $670,000 worth of public safety projects throughout northern Illinois. Through this collaboration,
- ComEd provides the program funding
- the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus administers the grants to local communities
- grant recipients match ComEd’s contribution with funding of equal or greater value.
“For the past four years, we have been able to leverage over $1.8 million for 95 local public safety projects,” said Joseph Tamburino, Mayor of Hillside, IL, and Chairman of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. “Our partnership with ComEd has put our shared public safety commitment into action and increased community resiliency. We are grateful for ComEd’s generosity.”
Additional information on the ComEd Powering Safe Communities Program can be found at:http://mayorscaucus.org/initiatives/environment/psc/.