Glenview salutes first responders to Highland Park shooting
Glenview Village President Mike Jenny and the board of trustees on Tuesday honored a large contingent of village employees who, in Jenny's words, "went above and beyond" assisting Highland Park after the Independence Day shooting.
The board room was full Aug. 23 as he announced their names and they came up to the front of the room to accept a commemorative plaque amid applause from their peers.
Jenny said in the first hour after the shooting at the Highland Park parade, Glenview's two Joint Dispatch centers answered 416 calls. The dispatch department provides 911 dispatching to 14 communities, including Highland Park.
Jenny said on a normal Fourth of July, dispatch handles an average of 1,143 calls. This year, it answered 3,346.
"First responders were answering multiple telephone calls from family members of victims and the victims themselves while the situation was unfolding, and assisting in the coordination of both police and fire units while the offender was still at large," Jenny said.
He then announced the numerous workers from Joint Dispatch, awarded plaques by Director Brent Reynolds, who himself was acknowledged.
They were: Josh Aderholt, Christina Aguayo, John Bianchi, Frankie Bonilla, John Cossarek, Kristen Cruz, Melinda Dragicevich, Tammy Dettloff, Tanya Echtenacher, Taylor Gallardo and Jennifer Kniskern.
Also: Annie Marchiafava, Drew McCowan, Tina Melone, Brittany Molinari, Sara Nee, Tashay Nunez, Andrew Ostman, Thomas Perfect, Denine Pikowitz, Kristy Pinkowsky, Megan Robbins, Alia Shukur, Tracy Spevacek, Jack Stopka, Daniel Wagner and Vimarie Zayas.
Jenny said Glenview Fire Department Lt. Dan Ellis arrived in Highland Park that day to support scene staging and assistance with Highland Park personnel where needed. Fire Chief Tony DeRose presented Ellis his plaque.
Four Glenview Police officers responded to a request for mutual aid through the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, Jenny said.
The village president said the officers went door to door in Highland Park canvassing the area, rescued civilians sheltering in place, assisted in serving a warrant on the offender's house, and also assisted in taking him into custody.
Jenny also noted Glenview Police Department social worker Julie Fleckenstein worked in Highland Park for several days.
Fleckenstein received recognition from Glenview Deputy Police Chief Jason Saikin, as did officers Joe Curtis, Rafael Donor, Sanjin Hodzic and Patrick O'Connell.
The full group assembled in front of the board of trustees at the dias for a round of applause.
Jenny said, "I can't imagine being prouder of our community than we are at this point. Just a terrific show of support for the people who keep us safe."