Safe Citizens Campaign
The Mayor launched the “Safe Citizens Campaign”, which is an ongoing project that features several opportunities for the community to learn about safety issues and take part in valuable programs. As part of the Safe Citizens Campaign, the Village has hosted a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, in which the Police and Fire Departments competed to see who could secure the most blood donations. As part of the Campaign, citizens have also been able to receive free smoke detectors and gun locks. There have been seminars discussing fire safety and a cell phone drive for victims of Domestic Abuse.

Weapons Ordinance
Taking another swipe at the safety of Dolton, Mayor Shaw introduced a weapons ordinance, amending the Weapons section of Police Regulations in the Municipal Code, specifically targeting the possession and sale of dangerous weapons in the Village of Dolton. The amended ordinance makes it illegal in the Village of Dolton to carry, possess, sell, loan or give switchblade knives, ballistic knives, blackjacks, slingshots, sand-clubs, sandbags, metal knuckles or bludgeons, unless the person is a hunter, trapper or fisherman with a valid license or permit and is engaging in that activity. In addition, no one 18 years or younger can be sold, loaned or given any type of knife with a blade of two (2) inches or longer.

Railroad Safety Grant
Dolton is surrounded by numerous trains, and that poses a potential hazard for residents who are faced with crossing the railroad tracks several times daily, and dealing with the frustration of being caught by trains. To increase the education on the danger of playing and taking chances around changes, Mayor Shaw secured a Railroad Safety Grant, for more than $14,000 to further educate Dolton’s local law enforcement and the community on laws regarding railroad safety. Dolton also implemented railroad safety programs and enforce railroad safety and trespassing laws.

Police Department
Changes in the Police Department have continued to ensure Dolton is one of the safest communities in the South Suburbs. By securing state grants, Mayor Shaw was able to purchase more patrol vehicles for the police department, and ultimately increase the number of patrols on the street daily. He also instituted the Cops on Bikes patrol, which came to include the Cops on ATV’s patrol, when Shaw personally donated two Honda All-Terrain Vehicles to the police department. Shaw also introduced the first tactical team in the Village of Dolton. To combat any gang and criminal activity, Shaw encourage the formation of Neighborhood Block clubs, and has an active anonymous hotline residents can call and leave tips about criminal activity taking place.

Fire Department
The Dolton Fire Department is better equipped to handle an emergency than ever before. The Mayor worked tirelessly to secure funds to purchase some much needed fire equipment and apparatus, including an aerial platform truck, to rescue pumpers, and two all-purpose command vehicles. The fire department also received as part of the package new air packs, spare cylinders and an air compressor. When Mayor Shaw receives a blessing, he makes it his business to be a blessing to someone else. As the safety of Dolton increased, Shaw reached out and donated two fire trucks to the Pembroke, IL community, considered one of the poorest communities in the nation, to help increase the safety of their residents. Pembroke has lost their fire trucks while fighting a brush fire.