The village is hiring PR help after an incident involving a Forest Park Police Department officer last month, resulting in his administrative leave.
On April 27, Lt. Daniel Miller detained 18-year-old Breanna Pantoja in North Riverside while she was stopped at a red light and he was off-duty. According to Pantoja, Miller didn’t identify himself as he approached her car with a drawn gun. He was wearing plain clothes, including a shirt with President Donald Trump’s name on the back, and driving his personal vehicle, which has a “Prez 45” license plate.
According to Pantoja, Miller said she was involved in a hit-and-run, but she said her car spun out on the wet pavement and didn’t hit anything. She also said Miller called North Riverside police, who let her go with no charges. North Riverside police have not responded to request for comment. After the incident, Pantoja said she was considering legal action against Miller.
At the May 11 council meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the village to hire Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications for services regarding Miller.
According to the meeting’s agenda packet, the communications strategist will, upon Mayor Rory Hoskins or Village Administrator Rachell Entler’s request, offer:
- Strategic counsel through conference calls with the mayor, village administrator and village legal counsel
- Development or review of internal and external media and communications materials
- Monitor media, based on platforms’ privacy rules
Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications charges a nonrefundable retainer of $5,000, then $400 an hour per senior crisis communications counsel personnel and $125 an hour for an account assistant. Fees exceeding $15,000 will need written approval from the village.
One of the founders of Jasculca Terman is longtime River Forest resident Rick Jasculca. The firm has been retained by the Village of River Forest to aid in public communications related to a proposed apartment development on Madison Street.