SHERIFF’S SWAP WORKERS FILL
SANDBAGS TO HELP FLOODING
VICTIMS IN DES PLAINES
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 — Nearly 60 non-violent convicted offenders are filling sandbags for a second day to help residents affected by rising floodwaters in the northern suburb, the Office of Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.
The offenders are part of the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program, better known as SWAP. Those sentenced to the program are placed there to complete community service work in lieu of jail time. Offenders working in the program are convicted of non-violent offenses, such as DUI.
On Tuesday, SWAP workers filled sandbags at the Des Plains Public Works facility, 111 Schwab Road, Des Plaines. The nearly 60 workers filled 2,000 sandbags beginning about 8 a.m. this morning and finishing up about 2 p.m. The sandbags were then made available to residents.
On Monday, 105 SWAP workers filled more than 4,000 sandbags in an effort to help local residents combat the rising Des Plaines River.