A Palos Heights resident recently lost $15,000 in a Bitcoin scam and another local man is being blackmailed after an online encounter — unsettling reminders that vigilance is key as scams grow more sophisticated, officials said at the Palos Heights City Council meeting on Feb. 18.
Alderman Robert Basso raised the concerns, urging residents to stay alert and check with a trusted advisor before making financial moves.
“Again, I don’t know how we can protect ourselves and our family members from such scams,” Basso said. “But be alert, protect your assets, and follow up with a loved one or a trusted advisor before making any moves.”
He also shared a cautionary tale about Palos Park Commissioner G. Darryl Reed, who recently fell victim to a tollway email scam that led to unauthorized purchases overseas. “That’s how fast a scam can hit your account,” Basso warned. “The IRS is not going to contact you at tax time for any information or action. Just ignore it, throw it in the garbage.”
The council approved selling two surplus Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicles: a 2019 model to the Crestwood Police Department for $12,500 and a 2015 model to the Sauk Village Police Department for $8,900. Proceeds will go to the Drug Asset Forfeiture Account.
“It’s a sad thing that our police department regularly seizes drugs through normal operations,” Basso said. “The dollar amounts they get by participating in such a program are astronomical. I wish it was zero, but because of the situation, it’s kind of a good from a bad.”
He noted the forfeiture program, which began decades ago, has helped pay for police vehicles and even contributed to building the police station.
City Treasurer James Daemicke reported that Palos Heights ended 2024 with a general fund balance of $4.47 million and a total of all city funds at $28.78 million. Although December was an expensive month, with about $9 million in expenses, much of that was internal transfers rather than payments to vendors, he said. Overall, the city finished the year with a surplus of nearly $800,000, buoyed by strong permit revenues, interest earnings, and steady property tax income.
“As we go into 2025, we’re projecting an increase of about 4.59%,” Daemicke said. “We’re keeping an eye on expenses, especially in the public works and administrative areas, but we’re in really good shape.”
Basso also updated the council on recent crime prevention efforts, crediting the city’s surveillance cameras for helping solve several cases.
“The cameras in our town do a great job helping us combat crime,” he said. “They identified a hit-and-run vehicle, caught a quick-change scam artist who hit CVS stores in the area, and helped capture suspects in the Palos Heights convenience store armed robbery, getting one more gun off the streets.”
Surveillance footage also recently identified a van and driver in a reported child-luring incident at a local bus stop.
The council discussed new snowplowing technology that could help prevent snow buildup in driveways, especially for seniors. One council member suggested exploring a front-loader attachment designed to push snow aside rather than piling it in front of driveways.
“It would save a lot of people a lot of big pains for sure,” they said. “We already have the big machine — it would just be like acquiring the right arm attachment to sweep the snow aside.”
A lighter moment came during the selection of the city’s 2025-2026 vehicle sticker design, chosen from submissions by elementary school students. After reviewing two finalists — one design featuring a bird on a branch and the other a gazebo with a cardinal — the council voted in favor of the gazebo.
“Both kids did super jobs,” a council member said. “All the students who participated really gave it their best, and we’re lucky to have such talented young artists in Palos Heights.” The winning design will appear on all city vehicle stickers for the upcoming year.
The council also approved a $209,727 payment to Simpson Construction for pool improvements, a $20,000 contract for the Independence Day fireworks display, and $16,560 for seasonal cleanup at city parks and the recreation center. Aldermen voted to solicit bids for the 2025 Motor Fuel Tax Resurfacing Program and approved the purchase of two International HV507 dump trucks for $228,190 and corresponding plows and dump bodies for $236,102.
A resolution was passed to close a portion of Harlem Avenue on July 4 for the Independence Day parade.
The next Palos Heights City Council meeting is scheduled for March 4.
The post Palos Heights mulls plow upgrades to help seniors with snow clearing appeared first on Southwest Regional Publishing.