Congratulating the performance of well-deserved police officers is an excellent idea. Putting down other police departments to drive the point home about the excellence of your own police department is tacky.
Arrogant and superfluous talk was heard at last week’s Village of Arlington Heights board meeting, March 16, 2026 from the mayor of Arlington Heights, Jim Tinaglia. His comments immediately followed a well-deserved and well-done Medal of Valor presentation for seven Arlington Heights Police Department members that provided superior performance at a home invasion in-progress incident. The professionalism of the police department was so obvious after the news of the successful resolution of a home invasion in progress in Arlington Heights on Thursday, March 19, 2026, and the subsequent award presentation summary. Unfortunately, there were some cringy words from Mayor Jim Tinaglia that didn’t reflect the words that had just been spoken by Arlington Heights Police Chief Nicholas Pecora, when Pecora recognized additionally the effective actions from law enforcement officers from neighboring communities, and even a neighboring county, that assisted the Arlington Heights Police Department.
CRINGY COMMENTS
“Well said, Marybeth (Canty), and I think what you said there — the word “de-escalation” — was hugely important because another (police) department might have stormed in and tore apart everything and ruined the house, and made life miserable for the family, but this was a seven-and-a-half hour adventure of safety and trying to take care of business in a graceful way … and these guys did it. So, thanks to the entire department for that kind of training; it was wonderful. And I’m sure the family certainly appreciates it. Thank you Chief.
Jim Tinaglia, Mayor Arlington Heights
Mayor Tinaglia’s commentary followed Pecora’s presentation and former Village Trustee and Illinois State Rep. Marybeth Canty’s respectful commentary complimenting the effective training and bravery of the police personnel, and the resulting resolution and de-escalation of the incident.
In a fine presentation for the brave and highly effective police personnel, Arlington Heights Police Chief Nicholas Pecora had just described how neighboring mutual aid police officers and other law enforcement personnel provided effective assistance for the Arlington Heights Police Department after the initial highly effective and brave actions of the seven Arlington Heights Police Department members who received the Medal of Valor awards.
Specifically, Pecora had just described that 77 tactical members of the regional SWAT team of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) from neighboring communities provided an effective resolution to the standoff involving an armed home invasion offender.
Specifically, Pecora had just recognized four members of the Palatine Police Department drone team.
Specifically, Pecora had just recognized six members of the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) that assisted with securing the perimeter of the neighborhood.
Specifically, Pecora had just recognized four members of the Kane County Sheriff’s Office that deployed a Boston Dynamics modified police tactical dog robot valued at around $350,000.
All of these mutual aid law enforcement personnel provided their services to effectively stop the in-progress home invasion. There was no reality in the statement that other departments would have ruined the house, etc. The reality was in the statements made by Arlington Heights Police Chief Nicholas Pecora.
See also …
Get updates from The Cardinal ALL NEWS FEEDS on Facebook. Just ‘LIKE’ the ‘Arlington Cardinal Page (become a fan of our page). The updates cover all posts and sub-category posts from The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com. You can also limit feeds to specific categories. See all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages at Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor
