A regional and cooperative approach to law enforcement was formalized recently, and Forest Park is one of four communities involved in the effort.

According to a statement from police in Oak Park, River Forest, Elmwood Park and Forest Park, resources will be shared to make better use of the FBI Law Enforcement Online program. Officers in each of the departments are expected to contribute information on crimes in their communities to help recognize regional patterns and even forecast criminal behavior.

“The prompt sharing of criminal activity on a regional basis will make all four of the communities more effective combating crime as it occurs,” Chief Jim Ryan said in a prepared statement. “These four communities have a history of cooperation and sharing of information, this advanced technology will provide our agencies the ability to work even closer in a timelier manner.”

The program is being called the FOREcast Regional Crime Analysis and Intelligence Sharing Initiative.