Police urge precautions as catalytic converters are targeted for theft
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Illinois – Four law enforcement agencies in Champaign-Urbana are urging residents to take precautions after receiving more than 160 separate reports of catalytic converter thefts since the beginning of 2021. The Champaign Police Department, Champaign County Sheriff's Office, Urbana Police Department and University of Illinois Police Department have been working to prevent thefts and hold offenders accountable. Reports are being actively investigated, and officers and deputies are conducting directed patrols to create a visible law enforcement presence in the areas where thefts are known to occur. The thefts reported in Champaign-Urbana have occurred all over Champaign County and at all times [...]
University Police offer safety tips for winter break
URBANA, Illinois — As the school enters its hiatus and many students leave campus, those who stay during the break should take precautions to make sure they stay safe. Campus is no more or less safe during school breaks, but with fewer people in the area, that also provides criminals with more opportunities to commit crimes. There are a few things you can do to significantly reduce your risk of being targeted by an offender. These are good safety practices throughout the year, but they become even more important during school breaks: Travel safely. Driving conditions in the Midwest can deteriorate [...]
University Police to begin using license plate reader technology
URBANA, Illinois – Five license plate readers will be installed at key locations on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus as University Police seek modern solutions to maintain campus safety. The technological tools will complement the ongoing proactive policing and outreach initiatives that University Police have already undertaken – including extra patrols, new security cameras, additional safety education and supportive mental health resources provided through its REACH team, along with other collaborative university initiatives. “Technology like this is a valuable deterrence and enforcement tool, and the license plate readers add another layer of safety to our campus area,” said U. of I. [...]
Officer brings experience, insight to athletic liaison position
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Chris Williams was one of the newest members of the Fighting Illini football program this year, but not in a role you might expect. Williams is not a player, and he’s not a member of the coaching staff. He is a University of Illinois Police officer – and he hopes that he can add friend and mentor to that title as well. Williams has embedded with the team this season through the new University Police athletic liaison program. The initiative has two primary objectives: keep the team safe and interact with members of the program so that [...]
Division of Public Safety releases 2022-2025 strategic plan
URBANA, Ill. – The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Division of Public Safety this week published its 2022-2025 strategic plan, which outlines its values, goals and objectives for the next few years. The plan is built around seven pillars: community engagement, the Community Outreach and Support Team, communication, employee development, maintaining a safe campus environment, technology and resilience. The plan can be accessed here. Each pillar includes specific goals the department intends to accomplish before 2025, including ensuring transparency in department initiatives, identifying disconnects with the community, proactively communicating about safety, enhancing training, preventing crime, deploying technological solutions for complex public safety [...]